Beacon and Probe-Response Frame Type Information for Out-Of-Band Discovery

ABSTRACT

An electronic device that performs a scan is described. During operation, the electronic device may perform, using a scanning radio, the scan of a band of frequencies, where the scanning radio only receives frames. Then, the electronic device may receive, using the scanning radio, a beacon associated with a second electronic device, where the beacon includes information associated with operation of a third electronic device in a second band of frequencies. Next, the electronic device may perform, using a data radio, a second scan of the second band of frequencies based at least in part on the information, where the data radio transmits and/or receives second frames, and where the second scan is performed, at least in part, while the scan is performed. Note that the electronic device may not be associated with (or may not have a connection with) the second electronic device and/or the third electronic device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.63/212,007, entitled “Beacon and Probe-Response Frame Type Informationfor Out-of-Band Discovery,” by Jarkko L. Kneckt, et al., filed Jun. 17,2021, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The described embodiments relate, generally, to wireless communicationsamong electronic devices, including communication techniques forout-of-band communication of beacon and probe-response information.

BACKGROUND

Many electronic devices communicate with each other using wireless localarea networks (WLANs), such as those based on a communication protocolthat is compatible with an Institute of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers (IEEE) standard, such as an IEEE 802.11 standard (which issometimes referred to as ‘Wi-Fi’).

IEEE 802.11be has proposed the use of multiple concurrent links betweenelectronic devices, such as an access point and an associated client orstation. These concurrent links may be in different bands offrequencies, such as 2.4, 5 and/or 6 GHz bands of frequencies. However,the proposed concurrent use of multiple bands of frequencies raiseschallenges with electronic-device and link discovery, as well as setupor configuration of multi-link electronic devices and legacy(single-link) electronic devices.

SUMMARY

In a first group of embodiments, an electronic device that performs ascan is described. This electronic device may include: an antenna node(or a pad or a connector) that is communicatively coupled to an antenna;and a data radio communicatively coupled to the antenna node. Duringoperation, the data radio performs the scan of a band of frequencies,where the data radio transmits and/or receives frames. Moreover, thedata radio receives a beacon associated with a second electronic device,where the beacon includes information associated with operation of athird electronic device in a second band of frequencies.

Note that the electronic device may not be associated with (or may nothave a connection with) the second electronic device and/or the thirdelectronic device.

Moreover, the second electronic device and the third electronic devicemay include access points that are cohosted or co-located in oraffiliated with an access point multi-link device (AP MLD).

Furthermore, the beacon may include a reduced neighbor report (RNR) andthe RNR may include the information. Additionally, the beacon mayinclude a multi-link (ML) element and the ML may include theinformation.

In some embodiments, the electronic device may include a second dataradio and a scanning radio. The second data radio may transmit and/orreceive second frames and the scanning radio may only receive thirdframes. Moreover, the electronic device may perform a second scan of thesecond band of frequencies using the second data radio or the scanningradio based at least in part on the information. Note that the secondscan may be performed, at least in part, while the scan is performed.Furthermore, the electronic device may associate with the secondelectronic device while the second scan is performed.

Additionally, the information may include: a primary channel of thethird electronic device, a bandwidth of the beacon, and/or whether thethird electronic device receives an 80 MHz wide non-high-throughputduplicate physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) protocol data unit(PPDU).

Other embodiments provide the second electronic device or the thirdelectronic device that performs counterpart operations corresponding toat least some of the aforementioned operations performed by theelectronic device.

Other embodiments provide an integrated circuit (which is sometimesreferred to as a ‘communication circuit’) for use with the electronicdevice, the second electronic device or the third electronic device. Theintegrated circuit may perform at least some of the aforementionedoperations or counterpart operations corresponding to at least some ofthe aforementioned operations.

Other embodiments provide the data radio, the second data radio and/orthe scanning radio that perform at least some of the aforementionedoperations or counterpart operations corresponding to at least some ofthe aforementioned operations.

Other embodiments provide a computer-readable storage medium for usewith the electronic device, the second electronic device or the thirdelectronic device. When program instructions stored in thecomputer-readable storage medium are executed by the electronic device,the second electronic device or the third electronic device, the programinstructions may cause the electronic device, the second electronicdevice or the third electronic device to perform at least some of theaforementioned operations performed by the electronic device orcounterpart operations performed by the second electronic device or thethird electronic device.

Other embodiments provide a method for performing the scan. The methodincludes at least some of the aforementioned operations performed by theelectronic device or counterpart operations performed by the secondelectronic device or the third electronic device.

In a second group of embodiments, an electronic device that performs ascan is described. This electronic device may include: an antenna node(or a pad or a connector) that is communicatively coupled to an antenna;a second antenna node (or a pad or a connector) that is communicativelycouple to a second antenna; a scanning radio communicatively coupled tothe antenna node; and a data radio communicatively coupled to the secondantenna node. During operation, the electronic device performs, usingthe scanning radio, the scan of a band of frequencies, where thescanning radio only receives frames. Then, the electronic devicereceives, using the scanning radio, a beacon associated with a secondelectronic device, where the beacon includes information associated withoperation of a third electronic device in a second band of frequencies.Next, the electronic device performs, using the data radio, a secondscan of the second band of frequencies based at least in part on theinformation, where the data radio transmits and/or receives secondframes, and where the second scan is performed, at least in part, whilethe scan is performed.

Note that the electronic device may not be associated with (or may nothave a connection with) the second electronic device and/or the thirdelectronic device.

Moreover, the second electronic device and the third electronic devicemay include access points that are cohosted or co-located in oraffiliated with an AP MLD.

Furthermore, the beacon may include an RNR and the RNR may include theinformation. Additionally, the beacon may include an ML element and theML may include the information.

Additionally, the electronic device may associate with (or establish aconnection with) the third electronic device after the scan and thesecond scan are completed.

In some embodiments, the information may include: a primary channel ofthe third electronic device, a bandwidth of the beacon, and/or whetherthe third electronic device receives an 80 MHz wide non-high-throughputduplicate PPDU.

Other embodiments provide the second electronic device or the thirdelectronic device that performs counterpart operations corresponding toat least some of the aforementioned operations performed by theelectronic device.

Other embodiments provide an integrated circuit (which is sometimesreferred to as a ‘communication circuit’) for use with the electronicdevice, the second electronic device or the third electronic device. Theintegrated circuit may perform at least some of the aforementionedoperations or counterpart operations corresponding to at least some ofthe aforementioned operations.

Other embodiments provide the scanning radio and/or the data radio thatperform at least some of the aforementioned operations or counterpartoperations corresponding to at least some of the aforementionedoperations.

Other embodiments provide a computer-readable storage medium for usewith the electronic device, the second electronic device or the thirdelectronic device. When program instructions stored in thecomputer-readable storage medium are executed by the electronic device,the second electronic device or the third electronic device, the programinstructions may cause the electronic device, the second electronicdevice or the third electronic device to perform at least some of theaforementioned operations performed by the electronic device orcounterpart operations performed by the second electronic device or thethird electronic device.

Other embodiments provide a method for performing the scan. The methodincludes at least some of the aforementioned operations performed by theelectronic device or counterpart operations performed by the secondelectronic device or the third electronic device.

In a third group of embodiments, an electronic device that performs ascan is described. This electronic device may include: an antenna node(or a pad or a connector) that is communicatively coupled to an antenna;a second antenna node (or a pad or a connector) that is communicativelycouple to a second antenna; a data radio communicatively coupled to theantenna node; and a second data radio communicatively coupled to thesecond antenna node. During operation, the electronic devicecommunicates, using the data radio, frames in a band of frequencies thatare associated with a second electronic device, where the data radiotransmits and/or receives the frames. Then, the electronic deviceinterrupts the communication of the frames and performs, using thesecond data radio, the scan of a second band of frequencies, where thesecond data radio transmits and/or receives second frames. Moreover, theelectronic device receives, using the second data radio, a beaconassociated with a third electronic device in the second band offrequencies. Next, after the beacon is received, the electronic deviceresumes communication of third frames in the band of frequencies usingthe data radio.

Note that the electronic device may be associated with (or may have aconnection with) the second electronic device.

Moreover, the second electronic device and the third electronic devicemay include access points that are cohosted or co-located in oraffiliated with an AP MLD.

Furthermore, the frames may include a frame that includes informationassociated with operation of the third electronic device in the secondband of frequencies and the scan is based at least in part on theinformation. Additionally, the frame may include a group-addressedframe. In some embodiments, the frame may include an RNR and the RNR mayinclude the information. Note that the frame may include an ML elementand the ML may include the information.

Moreover, the information may include: a primary channel of the thirdelectronic device, a bandwidth of the beacon, and/or whether the thirdelectronic device receives an 80 MHz wide non-high-throughput duplicatePPDU.

Other embodiments provide the second electronic device or the thirdelectronic device that performs counterpart operations corresponding tothe aforementioned operations performed by the electronic device.

Other embodiments provide an integrated circuit (which is sometimesreferred to as a ‘communication circuit’) for use with the electronicdevice, the second electronic device or the third electronic device. Theintegrated circuit may perform at least some of the aforementionedoperations or counterpart operations corresponding to at least some ofthe aforementioned operations.

Other embodiments provide the data radio and/or the second data radiothat perform at least some of the aforementioned operations orcounterpart operations corresponding to at least some of theaforementioned operations.

Other embodiments provide a computer-readable storage medium for usewith the electronic device, the second electronic device or the thirdelectronic device. When program instructions stored in thecomputer-readable storage medium are executed by the electronic device,the second electronic device or the third electronic device, the programinstructions may cause the electronic device, the second electronicdevice or the third electronic device to perform at least some of theaforementioned operations performed by the electronic device orcounterpart operations performed by the second electronic device or thethird electronic device.

Other embodiments provide a method for performing the scan. The methodincludes at least some of the aforementioned operations performed by theelectronic device or counterpart operations performed by the secondelectronic device or the third electronic device.

In a fourth group of embodiments, an electronic device that performs ascan is described. This electronic device may include: an antenna node(or a pad or a connector) that is communicatively coupled to an antenna;a second antenna node (or a pad or a connector) that is communicativelycouple to a second antenna; a scanning radio communicatively coupled tothe antenna node; and a data radio communicatively coupled to the secondantenna node. During operation, the electronic device communicates,using the data radio, frames in a band of frequencies that areassociated with a second electronic device, where the data radio isconfigured to transmit and/or receive the frames. Then, the electronicdevice performs, using the scanning radio, the scan of a second band offrequencies, where the scanning radio only receives second frames andthe scan is performed when the frames are communicated. Next, theelectronic device receives, using the scanning radio, a beaconassociated with a third electronic device in the second band offrequencies.

Note that the electronic device may be associated with (or may have aconnection with) the second electronic device.

Moreover, the second electronic device and the third electronic devicemay include access points that are cohosted or co-located in oraffiliated with an AP MLD.

Furthermore, the frames may include a frame that includes informationassociated with operation of the third electronic device in the secondband of frequencies and the scan is based at least in part on theinformation. Additionally, the frame may include a group-addressedframe. In some embodiments, the frame may include an RNR and the RNR mayinclude the information. Note that the frame may include an ML elementand the ML may include the information.

Moreover, the information may include: a primary channel of the thirdelectronic device, a bandwidth of the beacon, and/or whether the thirdelectronic device receives an 80 MHz wide non-high-throughput duplicatePPDU.

Other embodiments provide the second electronic device or the thirdelectronic device that performs counterpart operations corresponding tothe aforementioned operations performed by the electronic device.

Other embodiments provide an integrated circuit (which is sometimesreferred to as a ‘communication circuit’) for use with the electronicdevice, the second electronic device or the third electronic device. Theintegrated circuit may perform at least some of the aforementionedoperations or counterpart operations corresponding to at least some ofthe aforementioned operations.

Other embodiments provide the scanning radio and/or the data radio thatperform at least some of the aforementioned operations or counterpartoperations corresponding to at least some of the aforementionedoperations.

Other embodiments provide a computer-readable storage medium for usewith the electronic device, the second electronic device or the thirdelectronic device. When program instructions stored in thecomputer-readable storage medium are executed by the electronic device,the second electronic device or the third electronic device, the programinstructions may cause the electronic device, the second electronicdevice or the third electronic device to perform at least some of theaforementioned operations performed by the electronic device orcounterpart operations performed by the second electronic device or thethird electronic device.

Other embodiments provide a method for performing the scan. The methodincludes at least some of the aforementioned operations performed by theelectronic device or counterpart operations performed by the secondelectronic device or the third electronic device.

In a fifth group of embodiments, an electronic device that transmits abeacon or a group-addressed frame is described. This electronic devicemay include: an antenna node (or a pad or a connector) that iscommunicatively coupled to an antenna; and an interface circuitcommunicatively coupled to the antenna node. During operation, theinterface circuit transmits the beacon or the group-addressed frame in aband of frequencies, where the beacon includes information specifying abeacon frame type and/or a beacon modulation coding scheme (MCS), andwhere the group-addressed frame includes second information specifying agroup-addressed-frame type and/or a group-addressed frame MCS.

Note that the electronic device may include an access point.

Moreover, the interface circuit may be associated with an access pointcohosted or co-located in or affiliated with an AP MLD with a secondaccess point in a second band of frequencies. Furthermore, theelectronic device may transmit a second beacon or a secondgroup-addressed frame in the second band of frequencies, where thesecond beacon includes third information specifying a second beaconframe type and/or a second beacon MCS, where the second group-addressedframe includes third information specifying a secondgroup-addressed-frame type and/or a second group-addressed frame MCS,and where one of: the second beacon frame type is different from thebeacon frame type; the second beacon MCS is different from the beaconMCS; the second group-addressed-frame type is different from thegroup-addressed-frame type; or the second group-addressed-frame MCS isdifferent from the group-addressed-frame MCS.

Additionally, the information may include the beacon bandwidth and thesecond information may include the group-addressed-frame bandwidth.

Other embodiments provide the integrated circuit (which is sometimesreferred to as a ‘communication circuit’) for use with the electronicdevice. The integrated circuit may perform at least some of theaforementioned operations.

Other embodiments provide a computer-readable storage medium for usewith the electronic device. When program instructions stored in thecomputer-readable storage medium are executed by the electronic device,the program instructions may cause the electronic device to perform atleast some of the aforementioned operations performed by the electronicdevice.

Other embodiments provide a method for transmitting the beacon or thegroup-addressed frame. The method includes at least some of theaforementioned operations performed by the electronic device.

In a sixth group of embodiments, a second electronic device thatreceives a beacon or a group-addressed frame is described. This secondelectronic device may include: an antenna node (or a pad or a connector)that is communicatively coupled to an antenna; and an interface circuitcommunicatively coupled to the antenna node. During operation, theinterface circuit receives, associated with an electronic device, thebeacon or the group-addressed frame in a band of frequencies, where thebeacon includes information specifying a beacon frame type and/or abeacon MCS, and where the group-addressed frame includes secondinformation specifying a group-addressed-frame type and/or agroup-addressed frame MCS.

Note that the electronic device may include an access point. Moreover,the access point may be cohosted or co-located in or affiliated with theelectronic device in an AP MLD.

Furthermore, the second electronic device may receive thegroup-addressed frame using a data radio based at least in part on thesecond information, where the data radio transmits and/or receivesframes.

Additionally, the information may include the beacon bandwidth and thesecond information may include the group-addressed-frame bandwidth.

Other embodiments provide the integrated circuit (which is sometimesreferred to as a ‘communication circuit’) for use with the secondelectronic device. The integrated circuit may perform at least some ofthe aforementioned operations.

Other embodiments provide the data radio that performs at least some ofthe aforementioned operations.

Other embodiments provide a computer-readable storage medium for usewith the second electronic device. When program instructions stored inthe computer-readable storage medium are executed by the secondelectronic device, the program instructions may cause the secondelectronic device to perform at least some of the aforementionedoperations performed by the second electronic device.

Other embodiments provide a method for receiving the beacon or thegroup-addressed frame. The method includes at least some of theaforementioned operations performed by the second electronic device.

In a seventh group of embodiments, an electronic device that transmits aframe is described. This electronic device may include: an antenna node(or a pad or a connector) that is communicatively coupled to an antenna;and an interface circuit communicatively coupled to the antenna node.During operation, the interface circuit transmits, addressed to a secondelectronic device, the frame including a transmission power control(TPC) report, where the TPC report includes a transmit power used by theelectronic device for all frames in a 6 GHz band of frequencies.

Note that the electronic device may include an access point.

Moreover, the interface circuit may be associated with an access pointcohosted or co-located in or affiliated with an AP MLD.

Other embodiments provide the second electronic device that performscounterpart operations corresponding to at least some of theaforementioned operations.

Other embodiments provide the integrated circuit (which is sometimesreferred to as a ‘communication circuit’) for use with the electronicdevice or the second electronic device. The integrated circuit mayperform at least some of the aforementioned operations or counterpartoperations corresponding to at least some of the aforementionedoperations.

Other embodiments provide a computer-readable storage medium for usewith the electronic device or the second electronic device. When programinstructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium are executedby the electronic device or the second electronic device, the programinstructions may cause the electronic device or the second electronicdevice to perform at least some of the aforementioned operationsperformed by the electronic device or counterpart operations performedby the second electronic device.

Other embodiments provide a method for transmitting or receiving theframe. The method includes at least some of the aforementionedoperations performed by the electronic device or counterpart operationsperformed by the second electronic device.

In an eighth group of embodiments, an electronic device that transmits abeacon is described. This electronic device may include: an antenna node(or a pad or a connector) that is communicatively coupled to an antenna;and an interface circuit communicatively coupled to the antenna node.During operation, the interface circuit transmits the beacon including acritical capability update flag and an RNR, where the RNR includes achange sequence number, and where the critical capability update flagand the RNR indicate an update to one of: a transmit power of theelectronic device, a beacon frame type of the electronic device, or agroup-addressed frame type of the electronic device.

Note that the electronic device may include an access point.

Moreover, the interface circuit may be associated with an access pointcohosted or co-located in or affiliated with an AP MLD.

Other embodiments provide the second electronic device that performscounterpart operations corresponding to at least some of theaforementioned operations.

Other embodiments provide the integrated circuit (which is sometimesreferred to as a ‘communication circuit’) for use with the electronicdevice or the second electronic device. The integrated circuit mayperform at least some of the aforementioned operations or counterpartoperations corresponding to at least some of the aforementionedoperations.

Other embodiments provide a computer-readable storage medium for usewith the electronic device or the second electronic device. When programinstructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium are executedby the electronic device or the second electronic device, the programinstructions may cause the electronic device or the second electronicdevice to perform at least some of the aforementioned operationsperformed by the electronic device or counterpart operations performedby the second electronic device.

Other embodiments provide a method for transmitting or receiving theframe. The method includes at least some of the aforementionedoperations performed by the electronic device or counterpart operationsperformed by the second electronic device.

In a ninth group of embodiments, an electronic device that transmits aframe is described. This electronic device may include: an antenna node(or a pad or a connector) that is communicatively coupled to an antenna;and an interface circuit communicatively coupled to the antenna node.During operation, the interface circuit transmits the frame thatindicates the electronic device supports requests regarding beacon orgroup-addressed-frame transmission mode. Then, the interface circuitreceives, associated with a second electronic device, a request forinformation about the beacon or group-addressed-frame transmission mode.Next, the interface circuit transmits, addressed to the secondelectronic device, a response with the information specifying the beaconor group-addressed frame transmission mode.

Moreover, the interface circuit may be associated with an access pointcohosted or co-located in or affiliated with an AP MLD.

Furthermore, the second electronic device may include a station in anon-access point multi-link device (non-AP MLD).

Additionally, the request may specify a proposed beacon orgroup-addressed transmission mode.

In some embodiments, the response may indicate acceptance of theproposed beacon or group-addressed transmission mode, or may specify asecond proposed beacon or group-addressed transmission mode.

Other embodiments provide the second electronic device that performscounterpart operations corresponding to at least some of theaforementioned operations.

Other embodiments provide the integrated circuit (which is sometimesreferred to as a ‘communication circuit’) for use with the electronicdevice or the second electronic device. The integrated circuit mayperform at least some of the aforementioned operations or counterpartoperations corresponding to at least some of the aforementionedoperations.

Other embodiments provide a computer-readable storage medium for usewith the electronic device or the second electronic device. When programinstructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium are executedby the electronic device or the second electronic device, the programinstructions may cause the electronic device or the second electronicdevice to perform at least some of the aforementioned operationsperformed by the electronic device or counterpart operations performedby the second electronic device.

Other embodiments provide a method for transmitting or receiving theframe. The method includes at least some of the aforementionedoperations performed by the electronic device or counterpart operationsperformed by the second electronic device.

This Summary is provided for purposes of illustrating some exemplaryembodiments, so as to provide a basic understanding of some aspects ofthe subject matter described herein. Accordingly, it will be appreciatedthat the above-described features are only examples and should not beconstrued to narrow the scope or spirit of the subject matter describedherein in any way. Other features, aspects, and advantages of thesubject matter described herein will become apparent from the followingDetailed Description, Figures, and Claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The included drawings are for illustrative purposes and serve only toprovide examples of possible structures and arrangements for thedisclosed systems and techniques for intelligently and efficientlymanaging communication between multiple associated user devices. Thesedrawings in no way limit any changes in form and detail that may be madeto the embodiments by one skilled in the art without departing from thespirit and scope of the embodiments. The embodiments will be readilyunderstood by the following detailed description in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate likestructural elements.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of communicationbetween electronic devices.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of communicationbetween electronic devices.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for performing ascan using an electronic device of FIG. 1 or 2 .

FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating an example of communication between theelectronic devices of FIG. 1 or 2 .

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for performing ascan using an electronic device of FIG. 1 or 2 .

FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating an example of communication between theelectronic devices of FIG. 1 or 2 .

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for performing ascan using an electronic device of FIG. 1 or 2 .

FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating an example of communication between theelectronic devices of FIG. 1 or 2 .

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for performing ascan using an electronic device of FIG. 1 or 2 .

FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating an example of communication betweenthe electronic devices of FIG. 1 or 2 .

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method fortransmitting a beacon or a group-addressed frame using an electronicdevice of FIG. 1 or 2 .

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for receiving abeacon or a group-addressed frame using an electronic device of FIG. 1or 2 .

FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating an example of communication betweenthe electronic devices of FIG. 1 or 2 .

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method fortransmitting a frame using an electronic device of FIG. 1 or 2 .

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for receiving aframe using an electronic device of FIG. 1 or 2 .

FIG. 16 is a drawing illustrating an example of communication betweenthe electronic devices of FIG. 1 or 2 .

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method fortransmitting a beacon using an electronic device of FIG. 1 or 2 .

FIG. 18 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for receiving abeacon using an electronic device of FIG. 1 or 2 .

FIG. 19 is a drawing illustrating an example of communication betweenthe electronic devices of FIG. 1 or 2 .

FIG. 20 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method fortransmitting a frame using an electronic device of FIG. 1 or 2 .

FIG. 21 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for receiving aframe using an electronic device of FIG. 1 or 2 .

FIG. 22 is a drawing illustrating an example of communication betweenthe electronic devices of FIG. 1 or 2 .

FIG. 23 is a drawing illustrating an example of communication betweenelectronic devices.

FIG. 24 is a drawing illustrating an example of a reduced neighborreport (RNR) communicated between electronic devices of FIG. 1 or 2 .

FIG. 25 is a drawing illustrating an example of a multi-link (ML)element communicated between electronic devices of FIG. 1 or 2 .

FIG. 26 is a drawing illustrating an example of communication betweenelectronic devices.

FIG. 27 is a drawing illustrating an example of communication betweenelectronic devices.

FIG. 28 is a drawing illustrating an example of communication betweenelectronic devices.

FIG. 29 is a drawing illustrating an example of communication betweenelectronic devices.

FIG. 30 is a drawing illustrating an example of a non-high-throughputduplicate physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) protocol data unit(PPDU).

FIG. 31 is a drawing illustrating an example of a beacon.

FIG. 32 is a drawing illustrating an example of communication betweenelectronic devices.

FIG. 33 is a drawing illustrating an example of communication betweenelectronic devices.

FIG. 34 is a drawing illustrating an example of an RNR.

FIG. 35 is a drawing illustrating an example of an RNR.

FIG. 36 is a drawing illustrating an example of an RNR.

FIG. 37 is a drawing illustrating an example of a beacon or a discoveryframe information subfield.

FIG. 38 is a drawing illustrating an example of a transmission powercontrol (TPC) report element.

FIG. 39A is a drawing illustrating an example of communication betweenelectronic devices.

FIG. 39B is a drawing illustrating an example of communication betweenelectronic devices.

FIG. 40A is a drawing illustrating an example of communication betweenelectronic devices.

FIG. 40B is a drawing illustrating an example of communication betweenelectronic devices.

FIG. 41 is a drawing illustrating an example of communication betweenelectronic devices.

FIG. 42 is a drawing illustrating an example of a beacon and groupframes type element.

FIG. 43 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electronicdevice of FIG. 1 or 2 .

Note that like reference numerals refer to corresponding partsthroughout the drawings. Moreover, multiple instances of the same partare designated by a common prefix separated from an instance number by adash.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An electronic device that performs a scan is described. Duringoperation, the electronic device may perform, using a scanning radio,the scan of a band of frequencies, where the scanning radio onlyreceives frames. Then, the electronic device may receive, using thescanning radio, a beacon associated with a second electronic device,where the beacon includes information associated with operation of athird electronic device in a second band of frequencies. Next, theelectronic device may perform, using a data radio, a second scan of thesecond band of frequencies based at least in part on the information,where the data radio transmits and/or receives second frames, and wherethe second scan is performed, at least in part, while the scan isperformed. Note that the electronic device may not be associated with(or may not have a connection with) the second electronic device and/orthe third electronic device. Moreover, note that the second scan may beperformed, at least in part, while the scan is performed.

By providing the beacon, these communication techniques may facilitatediscovery of out-of-band electronic devices. Notably, by allowingelectronic devices to alert each other of other electronic devices indifferent bands of frequencies, the communication techniques mayfacilitate faster or more efficient scans. These capabilities mayimprove the efficiency of spectrum usage and/or the communicationperformance when communicating in a WLAN using the electronic deviceand/or the third electronic device. For example, the communicationtechniques may simplify and improve discovery operations,electronic-device setup and/or configuration. Consequently, thecommunication techniques may improve the user experience and customersatisfaction.

Note that the communication techniques may be used during wirelesscommunication between electronic devices in accordance with acommunication protocol, such as a communication protocol that iscompatible with an IEEE 802.11 standard (which is sometimes referred toas Wi-Fi). In some embodiments, the communication techniques are usedwith IEEE 802.11be, which is used as an illustrative example in thediscussion that follows. However, this communication techniques may alsobe used with a wide variety of other communication protocols, and inelectronic devices (such as portable electronic devices or mobiledevices) that can incorporate multiple different radio accesstechnologies (RATs) to provide connections through different wirelessnetworks that offer different services and/or capabilities.

An electronic device can include hardware and software to support awireless personal area network (WPAN) according to a WPAN communicationprotocol, such as those standardized by the Bluetooth Special InterestGroup and/or those developed by Apple (in Cupertino, Calif.) that arereferred to as an Apple Wireless Direct Link (AWDL). Moreover, theelectronic device can communicate via: a wireless wide area network(WWAN), a wireless metro area network (WMAN), a WLAN, near-fieldcommunication (NFC), a cellular-telephone or data network (such as usinga third generation (3G) communication protocol, a fourth generation (4G)communication protocol, e.g., Long Term Evolution or LTE, LTE Advanced(LTE-A), a fifth generation (5G) communication protocol, or otherpresent or future developed advanced cellular communication protocol)and/or another communication protocol. In some embodiments, thecommunication protocol includes a peer-to-peer communication technique.

The electronic device, in some embodiments, can also operate as part ofa wireless communication system, which can include a set of clientdevices, which can also be referred to as stations or client electronicdevices, interconnected to an access point, e.g., as part of a WLAN,and/or to each other, e.g., as part of a WPAN and/or an ‘ad hoc’wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi direct connection. In someembodiments, the client device can be any electronic device that iscapable of communicating via a WLAN technology, e.g., in accordance witha WLAN communication protocol. Furthermore, in some embodiments, theWLAN technology can include a Wi-Fi (or more generically a WLAN)wireless communication subsystem or radio, and the Wi-Fi radio canimplement an IEEE 802.11 technology, such as one or more of: IEEE802.11a; IEEE 802.11b; IEEE 802.11g; IEEE 802.11-2007; IEEE 802.11n;IEEE 802.11-2012; IEEE 802.11-2016; IEEE 802.11ac; IEEE 802.11ax, IEEE802.11ba, IEEE 802.11be, IEEE 802.11me, or other present or futuredeveloped IEEE 802.11 technologies.

In some embodiments, the electronic device can act as a communicationshub that provides access to a WLAN and/or to a WWAN and, thus, to a widevariety of services that can be supported by various applicationsexecuting on the electronic device. Thus, the electronic device mayinclude an ‘access point’ that communicates wirelessly with otherelectronic devices (such as using Wi-Fi), and that provides access toanother network (such as the Internet) via IEEE 802.3 (which issometimes referred to as ‘Ethernet’). However, in other embodiments theelectronic device may not be an access point. As an illustrativeexample, in the discussion that follows the electronic device is orincludes an access point.

Additionally, it should be understood that the electronic devicesdescribed herein may be configured as multi-mode wireless communicationdevices that are also capable of communicating via different 3G and/orsecond generation (2G) RATs. In these scenarios, a multi-mode electronicdevice or UE can be configured to prefer attachment to LTE networksoffering faster data rate throughput, as compared to other 3G legacynetworks offering lower data rate throughputs. For example, in someimplementations, a multi-mode electronic device is configured to fallback to a 3G legacy network, e.g., an Evolved High Speed Packet Access(HSPA+) network or a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) 2000Evolution-Data Only (EV-DO) network, when LTE and LTE-A networks areotherwise unavailable. More generally, the electronic devices describedherein may be capable of communicating with other present or futuredeveloped cellular-telephone technologies.

In accordance with various embodiments described herein, the terms‘wireless communication device,’ ‘electronic device,’ ‘mobile device,’‘mobile station,’ ‘wireless station,’ ‘wireless access point,’‘station,’ ‘access point’ and ‘user equipment’ (UE) may be used hereinto describe one or more consumer electronic devices that may be capableof performing procedures associated with various embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 1 presents a block diagram illustrating an example of electronicdevices communicating wirelessly. Notably, one or more electronicdevices 110 (such as a smartphone, a laptop computer, a notebookcomputer, a tablet, or another such electronic device) and access point112 may communicate wirelessly in a WLAN using an IEEE 802.11communication protocol. Thus, electronic devices 110 may be associatedwith or may have one or more connections with access point 112. Forexample, electronic devices 110 and access point 112 may wirelesslycommunicate while: detecting one another by scanning wireless channels,transmitting and receiving beacons or beacon frames on wirelesschannels, establishing connections (for example, by transmitting connectrequests), and/or transmitting and receiving packets or frames (whichmay include the request and/or additional information, such as data, aspayloads). Note that access point 112 may provide access to a network,such as the Internet, via an Ethernet protocol, and may be a physicalaccess point or a virtual or ‘software’ access point that is implementedon a computer or an electronic device. In the discussion that follows,electronic devices 110 are sometimes referred to as ‘recipientelectronic devices.’

As described further below with reference to FIG. 43 , electronicdevices 110 and access point 112 may include subsystems, such as anetworking subsystem, a memory subsystem, and a processor subsystem. Inaddition, electronic devices 110 and access point 112 may include radios114 in the networking subsystems. More generally, electronic devices 110and access point 112 can include (or can be included within) anyelectronic devices with networking subsystems that enable electronicdevices 110 and access point 112, respectively, to wirelesslycommunicate with another electronic device. This can includetransmitting beacons on wireless channels to enable the electronicdevices to make initial contact with or to detect each other, followedby exchanging subsequent data/management frames (such as connectrequests) to establish a connection, configure security options (e.g.,IPSec), transmit and receive packets or frames via the connection, etc.

As can be seen in FIG. 1 , wireless signals 116 (represented by a jaggedline) are communicated by one or more radios 114-1 and 114-2 inelectronic device 110-1 and access point 112, respectively. For example,as noted previously, electronic device 110-1 and access point 112 mayexchange packets or frames using a Wi-Fi communication protocol in aWLAN. As illustrated further below with reference to FIGS. 2-42 , one ormore radios 114-1 may receive wireless signals 116 that are transmittedby one or more radios 114-2 via one or more links between electronicdevice 110-1 and access point 112. Alternatively, the one or more radios114-1 may transmit wireless signals 116 that are received by the one ormore radios 114-2.

In some embodiments, wireless signals 116 are communicated by one ormore radios 114 in electronic devices 110 and access point 112,respectively. For example, one or more radios 114-1 and 114-3 mayreceive wireless signals 116 that are transmitted by one or more radios114-2 via one or more links between electronic devices 110-1 and 110-2,and access point 112.

Note that the one or more radios 114-1 may consume additional power in ahigher-power mode. If the one or more radios 114-1 remain in thehigher-power mode even when they are not transmitting or receivingpackets or frames, the power consumption of electronic device 110-1 maybe needlessly increased. Consequently, electronic devices 110 mayinclude wake-up radios (WURs) 118 that listen for and/or receive wake-upframes (and/or other wake-up communications), e.g., from access point112. When a particular electronic device (such as electronic device110-1) receives a wake-up frame, WUR 118-1 may selectively wake-up radio114-1, e.g., by providing a wake-up signal that selectively transitionsat least one of the one or more radios 114-1 from a lower-power mode tothe higher-power mode.

IEEE 802.11be has proposed the use of multiple concurrent links betweenelectronic devices, such as access point 112 and one or more ofelectronic device 110. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , which presentsa block diagram illustrating an example of electronic devicescommunicating wirelessly, access point 112 may be an AP MLD thatincludes multiple access points 210, which are cohosted or collocated inaccess point 112. In the present discussion, ‘cohosted’ or ‘co-located’means that access points 210 are physically or virtually implemented inthe same AP MLD, or are affiliated with the same AP MLD. Note that thismeaning of ‘cohosted’ does not indicate that access points 210 have thesame primary 20 MHz channel. Access points 210 may have associated basicservice set identifiers (BSSIDs) 212, and media access control (MAC) andphysical (PHY) layers (including separate radios, which may be includedin the same or different integrated circuits). Note that access point112 may have an ML entity 214 having an MLD MAC address, an MLidentifier, a service set identifier (SSID), and that may providesecurity for access points 210.

Moreover, access points 210 may have different concurrent links 216 indifferent bands of frequencies (such as a link 216-1 with a linkidentifier 1 in a 2.4 GHz band of frequencies, a link 216-2 with a linkidentifier 2 in a 5 GHz band of frequencies and a link 216-3 with a linkidentifier 3 in a 6 GHz bands of frequencies) with stations 218 in atleast electronic device 110-1, which is a non-AP MLD. These stations mayhave associated lower MAC and PHY layers (including separate radios,which may be included in the same or different integrated circuits). Inaddition, electronic device 110-1 may have an ML entity 220 having anMLD MAC address.

For example, the AP MLD may have three radios. One radio may operate ona 2.4 GHz band of frequencies, and the other radios may operate on the5/6 GHz bands of frequencies. The AP MLD may create three access points210, operating on a 2.4 GHz channel, a 5 GHz channel, and a 6 GHzchannel respectively. The three access points 210 may operateindependently, each of which has at least one BSS with different BSSIDs212. (While FIG. 2 illustrates the AP MLD with three access points 210,more generally the AP MLD may include up to 15 access points with one ormore access points in a given band of frequencies.) Moreover, each ofthe access points 210 may accommodate both legacy non-access pointstations as well as non-AP MLD stations 218. Furthermore, each of accesspoints 210 may transmit its own beacons using its own BSSID.Additionally, the AP MLD may have ML entity 214, identified by an MLDaddress (such as an MLD MAC address). This MAC address may be used topair with ML entity 220 of the associated non-AP MLD stations 218.

Moreover, the non-AP MLD station (e.g., electronic device 110-1) mayhave two or three radios. One radio may operate on a 2.4 GHz band offrequencies, and the other radios may operate on the 5/6 GHz bands offrequencies. When the non-AP MLD establishes a ML association with theAP MLD, it may create up to three stations 218, each of which associatesto one of access points 210 within the AP MLD. Each of stations 218 mayhave a different over-the-air MAC address 222. The non-AP MLD may alsohave ML entity 220, identified by another MLD address (such as anotherMLD MAC address). This MLD MAC address may be used to pair with MLentity 214 of the associated AP MLD.

However, the use of multiple links 216 raises challenges with linkdiscovery and setup or configuration. In order to address thesechallenges, as described below with reference to FIGS. 3-6 , in someembodiments of the disclosed communication techniques an access point(such as access point 210-1) may provide or transmit, in a band offrequencies, a beacon that includes information (e.g., in an RNR or anML element) associated with operation of a third electronic device (suchas access point 210-2 or 210-3) in a second band of frequencies. Thisbeacon or group-addressed frame may be received by a second electronicdevice (such as electronic device 110-1, e.g., station 218-1) while thesecond electronic device is performing a scan of the band offrequencies, e.g., using a data radio that transmits and/or receivesframes or a scanning radio that only receives frames. Moreover, thesecond electronic device may optionally perform a second scan of thesecond band of frequencies (e.g., using a second data radio thattransmits and/or receives frames or the scanning radio that onlyreceives frames) based at least in part on the information. Note thatthe second scan may be performed, at least in part, while the scan isperformed. Using the information, the second electronic device mayassociate with (or establish a connection with) the third electronicdevice, e.g., while the second scan is performed or after the scan andthe second scan are completed.

Moreover, as described below with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 , in someembodiments of the disclosed communication techniques an electronicdevice (such as electronic device 110-1, e.g., station 218-1) maycommunicate, using a data radio, frames in a band of frequencies thatare associated with a second electronic device (such as access point210-1), where the data radio transmits and/or receives the frames. Then,the electronic device may interrupt the communication of the frames andmay perform, using a second data radio, a scan of a second band offrequencies, where the second data radio transmits and/or receivessecond frames. Moreover, the electronic device may receive, using thesecond data radio, a beacon associated with a third electronic device(such as access point 210-2 or 210-3) in the second band of frequencies.Note that the frames may include a frame (such as a group-address frame)that includes information (e.g., in an RNR or an ML element) associatedwith operation of the third electronic device in the second band offrequencies and the scan is based at least in part on the information.Next, after the beacon is received, the electronic device may resumecommunication of third frames in the band of frequencies using the dataradio.

Alternatively, as described below with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 ,instead of interrupting the communication and performing the scan of thesecond band of frequencies and receiving the beacon using the seconddata radio, the electronic device may perform, using a scanning radiothat only receives second frames, the scan of the second band offrequencies while the frames are communicated and may receive the beaconassociated with the third electronic device.

Furthermore, as described below with reference to FIGS. 11-13 , in someembodiments of the disclosed communication techniques an electronicdevice (such as access point 210-1) may transmit a beacon or agroup-addressed frame in a band of frequencies, where the beaconincludes information specifying a beacon frame type and/or a beacon MCS,and where the group-addressed frame includes second informationspecifying a group-addressed-frame type and/or a group-addressed frameMCS. Additionally, the electronic device (such as access point 210-2)may transmit a second beacon or a second group-addressed frame in thesecond band of frequencies, where the second beacon includes thirdinformation specifying a second beacon frame type and/or a second beaconMCS, where the second group-addressed frame includes third informationspecifying a second group-addressed-frame type and/or a secondgroup-addressed frame MCS, and where one of: the second beacon frametype is different from the beacon frame type; the second beacon MCS isdifferent from the beacon MCS; the second group-addressed-frame type isdifferent from the group-addressed-frame type; or the secondgroup-addressed-frame MCS is different from the group-addressed-frameMCS. Then, the second electronic device (such as electronic device110-1, e.g., station 218-1 or 218-2) may receive the beacon, thegroup-addressed frame, the second beacon or the second group-addressedframe, e.g., using a data radio that transmits and/or receives frames.Note that the information may include the beacon bandwidth and thesecond information may include the group-addressed-frame bandwidth.

As described below with reference to FIGS. 14-16 , in some embodimentsof the disclosed communication techniques an electronic device (such asaccess point 210-1, 210-2 or 210-3) may transmit, addressed to a secondelectronic device (such as electronic device 110-1, e.g., station 218-1,218-2 or 218-3), a frame including a TPC report, where TPC reportincludes a transmit power used by the electronic device for all framesin a 6 GHz band of frequencies. Then, the second electronic device mayreceive the frame.

Moreover, as described below with reference to FIGS. 17-19 , in someembodiments of the disclosed communication techniques an electronicdevice (such as access point 210-1, 210-2 or 210-3) may transmit,addressed to a second electronic device (such as electronic device110-1, e.g., station 218-1, 218-2 or 218-3), a beacon including acritical capability update flag and an RNR, where the RNR includes achange sequence number, and where the critical capability update flagand the RNR indicate an update to one of: a transmit power of theelectronic device, a beacon frame type of the electronic device, or agroup-addressed frame type of the electronic device. Then, the secondelectronic device may receive the beacon.

Furthermore, as described below with reference to FIGS. 20-22 , in someembodiments of the disclosed communication techniques an electronicdevice (such as access point 210-1, 210-2 or 210-3) may transmit a framethat indicates the electronic device (such as electronic device 110-1,e.g., station 218-1, 218-2 or 218-3) supports requests regarding beaconor group-addressed-frame transmission mode. Then, the electronic devicemay receive, associated with a second electronic device, a request forinformation about the beacon or group-addressed-frame transmission mode.Next, the electronic device may transmit, addressed to the secondelectronic device, a response with information specifying the beacon orgroup-addressed frame transmission mode. For example, the request mayspecify a proposed beacon or group-addressed transmission mode, and theresponse may indicate acceptance of the proposed beacon orgroup-addressed transmission mode, or may specify a second proposedbeacon or group-addressed transmission mode.

In summary, the communication techniques may be used to facilitate thediscovery of out-of-band electronic devices, electronic-device setupand/or configuration. These capabilities may improve the efficiency ofspectrum usage and/or the communication performance when communicatingin a WLAN using electronic devices, such as an access point 112,electronic device 110-1, and/or legacy electronic devices.

Referring back to FIG. 1 , note that access point 112 and one or moreelectronic devices (such as electronic devices 110-1 and/or 110-2) maybe compatible with an IEEE 802.11 standard that includes trigger-basedchannel access (such as IEEE 802.11ax). However, access point 112 andthe one or more electronic devices may also communicate with one or morelegacy electronic devices that are not compatible with the IEEE 802.11standard (i.e., that do not use multi-user trigger-based channelaccess). In some embodiments, access point 112 and the one or moreelectronic devices use multi-user transmission (such as OrthogonalFrequency Division Multiple Access or OFDMA). For example, the one ormore radios 114-2 may provide one or more trigger frames for the one ormore electronic devices. Moreover, in response to receiving the one ormore trigger frames, the one or more radios 114-1 may provide one ormore group or block acknowledgments to the one or more radios 114-2. Forexample, the one or more radios 114-1 may provide the one or more groupacknowledgments during associated assigned time slot(s) and/or in anassigned channel(s) in the one or more group acknowledgments. However,in some embodiments one or more of electronic devices 110 mayindividually provide acknowledgments to the one or more radios 114-2.Thus, the one or more radios 114-1 (and, more generally, radios 114 inthe electronic devices 110-1 and/or 110-2) may provide one or moreacknowledgments to the one or more radios 114-2.

In the described embodiments, processing a packet or frame in one ofelectronic devices 110 and access point 112 includes: receiving wirelesssignals 116 encoding a packet or a frame; decoding/extracting the packetor frame from received wireless signals 116 to acquire the packet orframe; and processing the packet or frame to determine informationcontained in the packet or frame (such as data in the payload).

In general, the communication via the WLAN in the communicationtechniques may be characterized by a variety ofcommunication-performance metrics. For example, thecommunication-performance metric may include any/all of: an RSSI, a datarate, a data rate for successful communication (which is sometimesreferred to as a ‘throughput’), a latency, an error rate (such as aretry or resend rate), a mean-square error of equalized signals relativeto an equalization target, inter-symbol interference, multipathinterference, a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), a width of an eye pattern,a ratio of a number of bytes successfully communicated during a timeinterval (such as a time interval between, e.g., 1 and 10 s) to anestimated maximum number of bytes that can be communicated in the timeinterval (the latter of which is sometimes referred to as the ‘capacity’of a communication channel or link), and/or a ratio of an actual datarate to an estimated data rate (which is sometimes referred to as‘utilization’).

Although we describe the network environment shown in FIG. 1 as anexample, in alternative embodiments, different numbers and/or types ofelectronic devices may be present. For example, some embodiments mayinclude more or fewer electronic devices. As another example, in otherembodiments, different electronic devices can be transmitting and/orreceiving packets or frames. In some embodiments, multiple links may beused during communication between electronic devices 110. Consequently,one of electronic devices 110 may perform operations in thecommunication techniques.

FIG. 3 presents a flow diagram illustrating an example method 300 forperforming a scan. This method may be performed by an electronic device,such as electronic device 110-1 in FIG. 1 . Note that the communicationwith a second electronic device may be compatible with an IEEE 802.11communication protocol.

During operation, a data radio in the electronic device may perform thescan (operation 310) of a band of frequencies, where the data radiotransmits and/or receives frames. Moreover, the data radio may receive abeacon (operation 312) associated with a second electronic device, wherethe beacon includes information associated with operation of a thirdelectronic device in a second band of frequencies.

Note that the electronic device may not be associated with (or may nothave a connection with) the second electronic device and/or the thirdelectronic device. Moreover, the second electronic device and the thirdelectronic device may include access points that are cohosted orco-located in or affiliated with an AP MLD. Furthermore, the beacon mayinclude an RNR and the RNR may include the information. Additionally,the beacon may include a ML element and the ML may include theinformation. In some embodiments, the information may include: a primarychannel of the third electronic device, a bandwidth of the beacon,and/or whether the third electronic device receives an 80 MHz widenon-high-throughput duplicate PPDU.

In some embodiments, the electronic device optionally performs one ormore additional operations (operation 314). For example, the electronicdevice may include a second data radio and a scanning radio. The seconddata radio may transmit and/or receive second frames and the scanningradio may only receive third frames. Moreover, the electronic device mayperform a second scan of the second band of frequencies using the seconddata radio or the scanning radio based at least in part on theinformation. Note that the second scan may be performed, at least inpart, while the scan is performed. Furthermore, the electronic devicemay associate with the second electronic device while the second scan isperformed.

The communication techniques are further illustrated in FIG. 4 , whichpresents a flow diagram illustrating an example of communication betweenelectronic device 110-1 and access point 112. During operation, one ormore interface circuits (ICs) 410 in access point 210-1 may transmit oneor more beacons 414, where access point 210-1 is included in an AP MLD(in access point 112) with access point 210-2. The one or more beacons414 may be received by a data radio 416 in one or more interfacecircuits 418 in electronic device 110-1 that is performing a scan 412 ofa band of frequencies. Note that the one or more beacons 414 may includeinformation 420 associated with operation of access point 210-2 in asecond band of frequencies.

Based at least in part on information 420, a data radio 422 or ascanning radio 424 in the one or more interface circuits 418 may performa scan 426 in the second band of frequencies. Note that scan 426 may beperformed, at least in part, while scan 412 is performed. Furthermore,one or more interface circuits 428 in access point 210-2 may transmitone or more beacons 430 with information 432 associated with operationof access point 210-2 in the second band of frequencies. Then, the oneor more beacons 430 may be received by data radio 422 or scanning radio424. Next, based at least in part on information 432, data radio 422 mayassociate 434 with access point 210-2 while scan 426 is performed.

FIG. 5 presents a flow diagram illustrating an example method 500 forperforming a scan. This method may be performed by an electronic device,such as electronic device 110-1 in FIG. 1 . Note that the communicationwith a second electronic device may be compatible with an IEEE 802.11communication protocol.

During operation, a scanning radio in the electronic device may performthe scan (operation 510) of a band of frequencies, where the scanningradio only receives frames. Then, the scanning radio may receive abeacon (operation 512) associated with a second electronic device, wherethe beacon includes information associated with operation of a thirdelectronic device in a second band of frequencies. Next, a data radio inthe electronic device may perform a second scan (operation 514) of thesecond band of frequencies based at least in part on the information,where the data radio transmits and/or receives second frames, and wherethe second scan is performed, at least in part, while the scan isperformed.

Note that the electronic device may not be associated with (or may nothave a connection with) the second electronic device and/or the thirdelectronic device. Moreover, the second electronic device and the thirdelectronic device may include access points that are cohosted orco-located in or affiliated with an AP MLD. Furthermore, the beacon mayinclude an RNR and the RNR may include the information. Additionally,the beacon may include an ML element and the ML may include theinformation. In some embodiments, the information may include: a primarychannel of the third electronic device, a bandwidth of the beacon,and/or whether the third electronic device receives an 80 MHz widenon-high-throughput duplicate PPDU.

In some embodiments, the electronic device optionally performs one ormore additional operations (operation 516). For example, the electronicdevice may associate with (or establish a connection with) the thirdelectronic device after the scan and the second scan are completed.

The communication techniques are further illustrated in FIG. 6 , whichpresents a flow diagram illustrating an example of communication betweenelectronic device 110-1 and access point 112. During operation, one ormore interface circuits 610 in access point 210-1 may transmit one ormore beacons 614, where access point 210-1 is included in an AP MLD (inaccess point 112) with access point 210-2. The one or more beacons 614may be received by a scanning radio 616 in one or more interfacecircuits 618 in electronic device 110-1 that is performing a scan 612 ofa band of frequencies. Note that the one or more beacons 614 may includeinformation 620 associated with operation of access point 210-2 in asecond band of frequencies.

Based at least in part on information 620, a data radio 622 in the oneor more interface circuits 618 may perform a scan 624 in the second bandof frequencies. Note that scan 624 may be performed, at least in part,while scan 612 is performed. Furthermore, one or more interface circuits626 in access point 210-2 may transmit one or more beacons 628 withinformation 630 associated with operation of access point 210-2 in thesecond band of frequencies. Then, the one or more beacons 628 may bereceived by data radio 622. Next, based at least in part on information630, data radio 622 may associate 632 with access point 210-2 after scan612 and scan 624 are completed.

FIG. 7 presents a flow diagram illustrating an example method 700 forperforming a scan. This method may be performed by an electronic device,such as electronic device 110-1 in FIG. 1 . Note that the communicationwith a second electronic device may be compatible with an IEEE 802.11communication protocol.

During operation, a data radio in the electronic device may communicateframes (operation 710) in a band of frequencies that are associated witha second electronic device, where the data radio transmits and/orreceives the frames. Then, the electronic device may interrupt thecommunication of the frames (operation 712) and may perform, using asecond data radio in the electronic device, the scan (operation 714) ofa second band of frequencies, where the second data radio transmitsand/or receives second frames. Moreover, the second data radio mayreceive a beacon (operation 716) associated with a third electronicdevice in the second band of frequencies. Next, after the beacon isreceived (operation 716), the electronic device may resume communicationof third frames (operation 718) in the band of frequencies using thedata radio.

Note that the electronic device may be associated with (or may have aconnection with) the second electronic device. Moreover, the secondelectronic device and the third electronic device may include accesspoints that are cohosted or co-located in or affiliated with an AP MLD.Furthermore, the frames may include a frame that includes informationassociated with operation of the third electronic device in the secondband of frequencies and the scan is based at least in part on theinformation. Additionally, the frame may include a group-addressedframe. In some embodiments, the frame may include an RNR and the RNR mayinclude the information. Alternatively or additionally, the frame mayinclude an ML element and the ML may include the information. Note thatthe information may include: a primary channel of the third electronicdevice, a bandwidth of the beacon, and/or whether the third electronicdevice receives an 80 MHz wide non-high-throughput duplicate PPDU.

The communication techniques are further illustrated in FIG. 8 , whichpresents a flow diagram illustrating an example of communication betweenelectronic device 110-1 and access point 112. During operation, one ormore interface circuits 810 in access point 210-1 may transmit one ormore frames 812, where access point 210-1 is included in an AP MLD (inaccess point 112) with access point 210-2. These frames may be receivedby a data radio 814 in one or more interface circuits 816 in electronicdevice 110-1, where frames 812 are communicated in a band offrequencies. Note that at least one of frames 812 includes information818 associated with operation of access point 210-2 in a second band offrequencies, where access point 210-2 is included in an AP MLD withaccess point 210-1.

Then, data radio 814 may interrupt 820 the communication of frames 812and data radio 822 in the one or more interface circuit 816 may performa scan 824 of the second band of frequencies. Moreover, one or moreinterface circuits 826 in access point 210-2 may transmit one or morebeacons 828. The one or more beacons 828 may be received by data radio822. Note that the one or more beacons 828 may include information 830associated with operation of access point 210-2 in the second band offrequencies.

Next, data radio 814 may resume 832 communication frames 834 in the bandof frequencies.

FIG. 9 presents a flow diagram illustrating an example method 900 forperforming a scan. This method may be performed by an electronic device,such as electronic device 110-1 in FIG. 1 . Note that the communicationwith a second electronic device may be compatible with an IEEE 802.11communication protocol.

During operation, a data radio in the electronic device may communicateframes (operation 910) in a band of frequencies that are associated witha second electronic device, where the data radio is configured totransmit and/or receive the frames. Then, a scanning radio in theelectronic device may perform the scan (operation 912) of a second bandof frequencies, where the scanning radio only receives second frames andthe scan is performed when the frames are communicated. Next, thescanning radio may receive a beacon (operation 914) associated with athird electronic device in the second band of frequencies.

Note that the electronic device may be associated with (or may have aconnection with) the second electronic device. Moreover, the secondelectronic device and the third electronic device may include accesspoints that are cohosted or co-located in or affiliated with an AP MLD.Furthermore, the frames may include a frame that includes informationassociated with operation of the third electronic device in the secondband of frequencies and the scan is based at least in part on theinformation. Additionally, the frame may include a group-addressedframe. In some embodiments, the frame may include an RNR and the RNR mayinclude the information.

Alternatively or additionally, the frame may include an ML element andthe ML may include the information. Note that the information mayinclude: a primary channel of the third electronic device, a bandwidthof the beacon, and/or whether the third electronic device receives an 80MHz wide non-high-throughput duplicate PPDU.

The communication techniques are further illustrated in FIG. 10 , whichpresents a flow diagram illustrating an example of communication betweenelectronic device 110-1 and access point 112. During operation, one ormore interface circuits 1010 in access point 210-1 may transmit frames1012, where access point 210-1 is included in an AP MLD (in access point112) with access point 210-2. These frames may be received by a dataradio 1014 in one or more interface circuits 1016 in electronic device110-1, where frames 1012 are communicated in a band of frequencies. Notethat at least one of frames 1012 includes information 1018 associatedwith operation of access point 210-2 in a second band of frequencies,where access point 210-2 is included in an AP MLD with access point210-1.

Then, a scanning radio 1020 in the one or more interface circuit 1016may perform a scan 1022 of the second band of frequencies while frames1012 are communicated. Moreover, one or more interface circuits 1024 inaccess point 210-2 may transmit one or more beacons 1026. The one ormore beacons 1026 may be received by scanning radio 1020. Note that theone or more beacons 1026 may include information 1028 associated withoperation of access point 210-2 in the second band of frequencies.

FIG. 11 presents a flow diagram illustrating an example method 1100 fortransmitting a beacon or a group-addressed frame. This method may beperformed by an electronic device, such as access point 112 in FIG. 1 .

During operation, the electronic device may transmit the beacon or thegroup-addressed frame (operation 1110) in a band of frequencies, wherethe beacon includes information specifying a beacon frame type and/or abeacon MCS, and where the group-addressed frame includes secondinformation specifying a group-addressed-frame type and/or agroup-addressed frame MCS.

Note that the electronic device may include an access point. Moreover,the information may include the beacon bandwidth and the secondinformation may include the group-addressed-frame bandwidth.

In some embodiments, the electronic device optionally performs one ormore additional operations (operation 1112). For example, the electronicdevice may be associated with an access point cohosted or co-located inor affiliated with an AP MLD with a second access point in a second bandof frequencies. Furthermore, the electronic device may transmit a secondbeacon or a second group-addressed frame in the second band offrequencies, where the second beacon includes third informationspecifying a second beacon frame type and/or a second beacon MCS, wherethe second group-addressed frame includes third information specifying asecond group-addressed-frame type and/or a second group-addressed frameMCS, and where one of: the second beacon frame type is different fromthe beacon frame type; the second beacon MCS is different from thebeacon MCS; the second group-addressed-frame type is different from thegroup-addressed-frame type; or the second group-addressed-frame MCS isdifferent from the group-addressed-frame MCS.

FIG. 12 presents a flow diagram illustrating an example method 1200 forreceiving a beacon or a group-addressed frame. This method may beperformed by a second electronic device, such as electronic device 110-1in FIG. 1 .

During operation, the second electronic device may receive the beacon orthe group-addressed frame (operation 1210) in a band of frequencies,where the beacon includes information specifying a beacon frame typeand/or a beacon MCS, and where the group-addressed frame includes secondinformation specifying a group-addressed-frame type and/or agroup-addressed frame MCS. Note that the second electronic device mayreceive the group-addressed frame using a data radio based at least inpart on the second information, where the data radio transmits and/orreceives frames.

In some embodiments, the second electronic device optionally performsone or more additional operations (operation 1212). For example, thesecond electronic device may receive a second beacon or a secondgroup-addressed frame in a second band of frequencies, where the secondbeacon includes third information specifying a second beacon frame typeand/or a second beacon MCS, where the second group-addressed frameincludes third information specifying a second group-addressed-frametype and/or a second group-addressed frame MCS, and where one of: thesecond beacon frame type is different from the beacon frame type; thesecond beacon MCS is different from the beacon MCS; the secondgroup-addressed-frame type is different from the group-addressed-frametype; or the second group-addressed-frame MCS is different from thegroup-addressed-frame MC S.

The communication techniques are further illustrated in FIG. 13 , whichpresents a flow diagram illustrating an example of communication betweenelectronic device 110-1 and access point 112. During operation, one ofone or more interface circuits 1310 in access point 210-1 may transmit abeacon 1312 or a group-addressed frame (GAF) 1314 in a band offrequencies, where access point 210-1 is included in an AP MLD (inaccess point 112) with access point 210-2. The beacon or group-addressframe may be received by a data radio 1316 in one or more interfacecircuits 1318 in electronic device 110-1.

Moreover, one or more interface circuits 1320 in access point 210-2 maytransmit a beacon 1322 or a group-addressed frame 1324 in a second bandof frequencies. This beacon or group-address frame may be received by adata radio 1326 in the one or more interface circuits 1318 in electronicdevice 110-1. For example, beacon 1322 may be received when data radio1326 performs a scan 1328.

FIG. 14 presents a flow diagram illustrating an example method 1400 fortransmitting a frame. This method may be performed by an electronicdevice, such as access point 112 in FIG. 1 . Note that the communicationwith a second electronic device may be compatible with an IEEE 802.11communication protocol.

During operation, the electronic device may transmit, addressed to thesecond electronic device, the frame (operation 1410) including a TPCreport, where the TPC report includes a transmit power used by theelectronic device for all frames in a 6 GHz band of frequencies.

Note that the electronic device may include an access point. Moreover,the electronic device may be associated with an access point cohosted orco-located in or affiliated with an AP MLD.

FIG. 15 presents a flow diagram illustrating an example method 1500 forreceiving a frame. This method may be performed by a second electronicdevice, such as electronic device 110-1 in FIG. 1 . Note that thecommunication with the electronic device may be compatible with an IEEE802.11 communication protocol.

During operation, the second electronic device may receive, associatedwith the electronic device, the frame (operation 1510) including a TPCreport, where the TPC report includes a transmit power used by theelectronic device for all frames in a 6 GHz band of frequencies.

The communication techniques are further illustrated in FIG. 16 , whichpresents a flow diagram illustrating an example of communication betweenelectronic device 110-1 and access point 112. During operation, aninterface circuit 1610 in access point 112 may transmit a frame 1612,where frame 1612 includes a TPC report 1614. This frame may be receivedby an interface circuit 1616 in electronic device 110-1.

FIG. 17 presents a flow diagram illustrating an example method 1700 fortransmitting a beacon. This method may be performed by an electronicdevice, such as access point 112 in FIG. 1 .

During operation, the electronic device may transmit a beacon (operation1710) including a critical capability update flag and an RNR, where theRNR includes a change sequence number, and where the critical capabilityupdate flag and the RNR indicate an update to one of: a transmit powerof the electronic device, a beacon frame type of the electronic device,or a group-addressed frame type of the electronic device.

Note that the electronic device may include an access point. Moreover,the electronic device may be associated with an access point cohosted orco-located in or affiliated with an AP MLD.

FIG. 18 presents a flow diagram illustrating an example method 1800 forreceiving a beacon. This method may be performed by a second electronicdevice, such as electronic device 110-1 in FIG. 1 .

During operation, the second electronic device may receive a beacon(operation 1810) including a critical capability update flag and an RNR,where the RNR includes a change sequence number, and where the criticalcapability update flag and the RNR indicate an update to one of: atransmit power of the electronic device, a beacon frame type of theelectronic device, or a group-addressed frame type of the electronicdevice.

The communication techniques are further illustrated in FIG. 19 , whichpresents a flow diagram illustrating an example of communication betweenelectronic device 110-1 and access point 112. During operation, aninterface circuit 1910 in access point 112 may transmit a beacon 1912,where beacon 1912 includes a critical capability update flag (CCUF)1914. This beacon may be received by an interface circuit 1916 inelectronic device 110-1.

FIG. 20 presents a flow diagram illustrating an example method 2000 fortransmitting a frame. This method may be performed by an electronicdevice, such as access point 112 in FIG. 1 . Note that the communicationwith a second electronic device may be compatible with an IEEE 802.11communication protocol.

During operation, the electronic device may transmit the frame(operation 2010) that indicates the electronic device supports requestsregarding beacon or group-addressed-frame transmission mode. Then, theelectronic device may receive, associated with a second electronicdevice, a request for information (operation 2012) about the beacon orgroup-addressed-frame transmission mode. Next, the electronic device maytransmit, addressed to the second electronic device, a response with theinformation (operation 2014) specifying the beacon or group-addressedframe transmission mode.

Moreover, the interface circuit may be associated with an access pointcohosted or co-located in or affiliated with an AP MLD. Furthermore, thesecond electronic device may include a station in a non-AP MLD.Additionally, the request may specify a proposed beacon orgroup-addressed transmission mode. In some embodiments, the response mayindicate acceptance of the proposed beacon or group-addressedtransmission mode, or may specify a second proposed beacon orgroup-addressed transmission mode.

FIG. 21 presents a flow diagram illustrating an example method 2100 forreceiving a frame. This method may be performed by a second electronicdevice, such as electronic device 110-1 in FIG. 1 . Note that thecommunication with the electronic device may be compatible with an IEEE802.11 communication protocol.

During operation, the second electronic device may receive the frame(operation 2110) that indicates the electronic device supports requestsregarding beacon or group-addressed-frame transmission mode. Then, thesecond electronic device may provide, addressed to the electronicdevice, a request for information (operation 2112) about the beacon orgroup-addressed-frame transmission mode. Next, the second electronicdevice may receive, associated with the electronic device, a responsewith the information (operation 2114) specifying the beacon orgroup-addressed frame transmission mode.

In some embodiments of methods 300 (FIG. 3 ), 5 (FIG. 5 ), 7 (FIG. 7 ),9 (FIG. 9 ), 11 (FIG. 11 ), 12 (FIG. 12 ), 14 (FIG. 14 ), 15 (FIG. 15 ),17 (FIG. 17 ), 18 (FIG. 18 ), 20 (FIG. 20 ) and/or 21, there may beadditional or fewer operations. Further, one or more differentoperations may be included. Moreover, the order of the operations may bechanged, and/or two or more operations may be combined into a singleoperation or performed at least partially in parallel.

The communication techniques are further illustrated in FIG. 22 , whichpresents a flow diagram illustrating an example of communication betweenelectronic device 110-1 and access point 112. During operation, aninterface circuit 2210 in access point 112 may transmit a frame 2212,where frame 2212 indicates access point 112 supports requests regardingbeacon or group-addressed-frame transmission mode. This frame may bereceived by an interface circuit 2214 in electronic device 110-1.

Then, interface circuit 2214 may provide, addressed to access point 112,a request 2216 for information 2220 about the beacon orgroup-addressed-frame transmission mode. After receiving request 2216,interface circuit 2210 may provide a response 2218 with information2220, which may be received by interface circuit 2214.

While communication between the components in FIGS. 4, 6, 8, 10, 13, 16,19 and 22 are illustrated with unilateral or bilateral communication(e.g., lines having a single arrow or dual arrows), in general a givencommunication operation may be unilateral or bilateral.

In some embodiments, the communication techniques facilitate the use ofmultiple bands of frequencies, e.g., with an AP MLD, a non-AP MLD or alegacy station. Discovery operations (e.g., of an access point) oftenvary in different bands of frequencies (such as 2.4 and 5 GHz versus 6GHz), and may include in-band active scanning (e.g., a probe request anda probe response), in-band passive scanning (e.g., using beacons orunsolicited frames), and/or out-of-band (OoB) discovery (e.g., a proberequest and a probe response in a different band of frequencies).

For example, there are fewer 20 MHz channels in the 2.4 GHz band offrequencies than the number of channels in the 5 GHz band of frequenciesand/or the 6 GHz band of frequencies. Moreover, these channels oftenhave better coverage. Consequently, a WLAN may include OoB discoverymechanisms to signal access-point information in another band offrequencies and/or using a different channel. For example, anon-access-point station or client (which is sometimes referred to as a‘receiving electronic device’) may start scanning from the 2.4 GHz bandof frequencies to discovery in-band legacy access points, as well as OoBlegacy access points. In addition, based at least in part on the OoBdiscovery from the 2.4 GHz band of frequencies, the non-access-pointstation may scan a subset of channels in the 5 GHz band of frequenciesand/or the 6 GHz band of frequencies for access points that are ofinterest. Note that the OoB signaling may be transmitted by an accesspoint (which is sometimes referred to as a ‘transmitting electronicdevice’) in a beacon, a probe response and/or an ML probe response.

Moreover, referring back to FIG. 2 , access point 112 may be an AP MLDthat hosts multiple access points 210 in different bands of frequencies.Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 23 , which presents a drawing illustratingan example of communication between electronic devices, each of accesspoints 210 may transmit beacons in the different bands of frequencies.Additionally, each beacon may include an ML element and/or an RNR withinformation about other access points that are cohosted or co-located inthe same AP MLD (with the same SSID).

For example, in the 2.4 GHz band of frequencies, each beacon may includean ML element and/or an RNR with information about other access points,such as access point 210-2 and access point 210-3. Similarly, in the inthe 5 GHz band of frequencies, each beacon may include an ML elementand/or an RNR with information about other access points, such as accesspoint 210-1 and access point 210-3, and in the 6 GHz band offrequencies, each beacon may include an ML element and/or an RNR withinformation about other access points, such as access point 210-1 andaccess point 210-2. Note that the ML element may include ML-levelinformation and per-station parameters of access points 210 in the APMLD.

Based at least in part on the information included in the beacons, alegacy station or a non-AP MLD (such as electronic device 110-1) mayassociate with the AP MLD. For example, the legacy station may associatewith access point 210-1 in the 2.4 GHz band of frequencies.Alternatively, the non-AP MLD may include an ML entity having an MLaddress and multiple stations 218 in different bands of frequencies,including station 218-1 having address 1 in the 2.4 GHz band offrequencies, station 218-2 having address 2 in the 5 GHz band offrequencies, and station 218-3 having address 3 in the 6 GHz band offrequencies. The AP MLD and the non-AP MLD may establish multipleconcurrent links 216 in different bands of frequencies between accesspoints 210 and the stations 218.

FIG. 24 presents a drawing illustrating an example of an RNR 2410 (withan ML element 2412) communicated between electronic devices of FIG. 1 or2 , e.g., in beacons or probe responses. Notably, the beacons or proberesponses may include information elements (IEs) (with the SSID, BSSID,legacy capabilities, operations elements for the transmitting accesspoint, extremely high-throughput capability and operations for thetransmitting access point) and RNR 2410. RNR 2410 may include legacyinformation (which can be received by all stations), information forIEEE-802.11ax or ‘Wi-Fi 6E’-compatible stations (which cannot bereceived by legacy stations), and information forIEEE-802.11be-compatible stations (which can only be received byIEEE-802.11be-compatible stations). Note that an information about anaccess point may be included in RNR 2410 if it is: cohosted in a 6 GHzaccess point or cohosted in an AP MLD as the reporting access point thatis providing RNR 2410. Alternatively or additionally, RNR 2410 mayinclude information about one or more neighboring access points that areoperating in the 2.4 GHz band of frequencies and/or the 5 GHz band offrequencies.

The legacy information in the RNR information may include: neighboraccess-point information (one per reported channel), such as aco-located or cohosted access point, an operating class, a channelnumber, or a number of target beacon transmission time (TBTT)information sets (for BSSIDs in the same channel). Moreover, the legacyinformation in the RNR may include TBTT information set(s) (one perreporting access point or virtual access point), such as: a TBTT offset(e.g., a TBTT offset in 1 ms units), a BSSID, a short SSID, and/or a 20MHz power spectral density or PSD (for an access point that operates inthe 6 GHz band of frequencies). Furthermore, theIEEE-802.11be-compatible information in the TBTT information set(s) mayinclude: a change sequence (CS), an MLD identifier (which identifies anMLD in an AP MLD) and a link identifier (such as, e.g., four bits thatidentify a given access point in an AP MLD). Additionally, theIEEE-802.11ax-compatible information in the TBTT information set(s) mayinclude BSS parameters, such as: on channel tunneling or OCT (e.g.,using 1 bit), a same SSID (e.g., using 1 bit), a multiple BSSID (e.g.,using 1 bit), a transmitted BSSID (e.g., using 1 bit), a co-hosted orco-located extended service set or ESS (e.g., using 1 bit), and anunsolicited broadcast probe response transmission at least once every 20ms (e.g., using 1 bit). Note that the beacon or the probe response mayinclude ML element 2412 if secure authentication of equals (SAE) is inuse, as well as per-station profiles with ML elements.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 25 , which presents a drawing illustrating anexample of an ML element 2510 communicated between electronic devices ofFIG. 1 or 2 , for IEEE 802.11be ML element 2510 may include two levelsof parameters: common information that is common for an AP MLD or forall affiliated access points; and per-station parameters (for a givenaffiliated access point). Note that ML element 2510 may include acomplete profile that signals whether selected parameters or a completeprofile is present.

For example, ML element 2510 may include: an element identifier field(e.g., using 1 octet); a length field (e.g., using 1 octet); an elementidentifier extension field (e.g., using 1 octet); an ML control field(e.g., using 1 octet); a common information field (e.g., using 1 octet);and a link information field (e.g., using 1 octet). Moreover, the MLcontrol field may include: a type subfield (e.g., using 3 bits); an MLcapabilities present subfield (e.g., using 1 bit); an ML address presentsubfield (e.g., using 1 bit); and a presence bitmap field (e.g., using11 bits). Furthermore, the common information field may include: amaximum number of simultaneous links subfield (e.g., using 4 bits); anSRS support subfield (e.g., using 1 bit); a frequency separation for STRsubfield (e.g., using 5 bits), and a reserved subfield (e.g., using 6bits). Additionally, the link information may include: a link identifiersubfield (e.g., using 4 bits); a complete profile subfield (e.g., using1 bit); and a reserved subfield. Note that the complete profile subfieldindicates whether selected parameters or a complete profile is present.

In some embodiments, there may be different types of ML elements: abasic variant, and an ML probe request variant. The basic variant may beincluded in a beacon, an ML probe response, an association request or anassociation response, and may include: an MLD MAC address, optionalsub-elements (such as a per-station profile) and/or vendor-specificinformation. Alternatively, the ML probe request variant may be includedin an ML probe request, and may include request parameters from all orspecific access point(s).

Furthermore, there may be different types of beacon frames in differentbands of frequencies. For example, in the 2.4 GHz band of frequencies,beacon PPDU types may include a direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS),beacon MCSs may include 1, 2, 5.5 or 11 Mbps, and a beacon bandwidth maybe 20 MHz. Alternatively, in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz or 6 GHz band offrequencies, beacons may include: a beacon PPDU type of a non-highthroughput (HT) PPDU with a beacon MCS of the basic rate set, and abeacon bandwidth of 20 MHz; or a beacon PPDU type of an extended rangesingle user (ER SU) PPDU with a beacon MCS of high efficiency (HE) MCS 1and a number of spatial streams (NSS) of 1, and a beacon bandwidth of 20MHz (or 242 resource units or RUs). In the 6 GHz band of frequencies,the beacons may include: a beacon PPDU type of a non-HT duplicate PPDUwith a beacon MCS of the basic rate set, and beacon bandwidth up to theBSS bandwidth; or a beacon PPDU type of an HE SU PPDU with a beacon MCSof a basic HE MCS set, and a bandwidth of 20 MHz.

Additionally, there may be an additional mode HE multi-user (MU) PPDUmode for a probe response. Notably, in the 6 GHz band of frequencies,the probe response PPDU type may include an HE MU PPDE or a broadcast RUprobe (with an association identifier or AID of 2045), an MCS of HE-MCS1 and NSS of 1, and a probe response bandwidth of less than or equal to106 RU in: the primary 20 MHz, the preferred scanning channel, or thesubchannel selective transmission (SST)-station (STA) 20 MHz channel.

In some embodiments, there may be different transmission alternativesfor group-addressed frames that are transmitted to some or allelectronic devices. Note that group-addressed frames may be scheduled ora periodic, and/or may be used for service discovery (following beacons)or network maintenance. For example, in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz or 6 GHz bandof frequencies, there may be: a non-HT PPDU with an MCS of the basicrate set, and a bandwidth of 20 MHz; an ER SU PPDU with an MCS of HE MCS1 and a bandwidth of 20 MHz (242 RU); or an HE SU PPDU with an MCS ofthe basic HE MCS set, and a bandwidth of up to the bandwidth supportedby all associated stations or 20 MHz. Alternatively, in the 2.4 GHz or 5GHz band of frequencies, there may be: an HT PPDU with an MCS of thebasic HT MCS set, and a bandwidth of up to the bandwidth supported byall associated stations; or a very high throughput (VHT) PPDU with anMCS of the basic VHT MCS set, and a bandwidth of up to the bandwidthsupported by all associated stations. In the 6 GHz band of frequencies,there may be: a non-HT MU PPDU with an MCS of the basic rate set and abandwidth up to the BSS bandwidth; or an HE MU PPDU broadcast RU with anMCS of the basic HE MCS set, and a bandwidth less than or equal to 106RU subcarriers or 20 MHz within the bandwidth of the receiver stations.

Referring back to FIG. 2 , the aforementioned functions and capabilitiesmay be used or modified to enable the disclosed communicationtechniques. Notably, the beacon frame type information and/or the groupframe type information may be modified to include additional or modifiedsignaling, additional or modified elements and/or additions to the RNRand/or the ML element. For example, the beacon frame type informationmay be used in scanning and/or selecting a scanning radio versus a dataradio and the receive bandwidth. These capabilities may allow amore-capable data radio to be used for scanning instead of a scanningradio, and/or may be used in planning affiliated access-point coverageand transmission modes. Moreover, the group frame type information maybe used to select the scanning radio versus the data radio and a linkfor receiving group frames (which are sometimes referred to as‘group-addressed frames’). These capabilities may allow a more-capabledata radio to be used for scanning instead of a scanning radio, and/ormay allow access-point improvement or optimization of group-frametransmissions for associated non-AP MLDs. In some embodiments, thebeacon frame type information and/or the group frame type informationmay facilitate a reduced transmission rate because the beacons and/orthe group frames may be received with any of the multiple concurrentlinks (e.g., via OoB communication). For example, this may allow thebeacons and/or the group frames to be received without prior associationin the 2.4 GHz band of frequencies.

The station and the access point may signal a complete set ofper-station parameters, such as their operating parameters for each linkthey setup in the association. The non-AP MLD may signal the affiliatedstation parameters for each link and the access point may signal some orall affiliated access-point parameters for each link it accepts. The APMLD may signal beacon and group parameters for each link that is setupin an ML association. This may ensure that the non-AP MLD knows theoperating parameters for the links.

Furthermore, in the disclosed communication techniques, signaling tosupport setting of beacon and/or group frame types is disclosed. Forexample, the current and the next parameter values for beacon and/orgroup frame types may be provided. Alternatively or additionally, astation may request additional or modified transmission frame types andmay provide measurement reports for beacon and/or group frames. In someembodiments, an AP MLD may configure access points that may modifybeacon and/or group frame types.

A data radio and a scanning radio may have different characteristics.Notably there may be different radios in a non-AP MLD, including: a dataradio (radio 1) in the 2.4 GHz band of frequencies, a data radio (radio2) in the 5 GHz or 6 GHz band of frequencies, and a scanning radio(radio 3) in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz or 6 GHz band of frequencies. A dataradio may: be able to transmit; receive up to 160 MHz using all relevantMCSs and most PPDU types; have availability that depends on a datatransmission schedule and have high power consumption; and receive allbeacon types (but may need to be configured for larger receivebandwidth). A scanning radio may: not be able to transmit; receive only20 MHz of bandwidth with up to MCS 4 and only non-HT PPDU; always beavailable and have smaller power consumption; not receive all beacontypes.

In the disclosed communication techniques, OoB discovery of anotheraccess point may occur during a scan for beacon frames and/or usinggroup-addressed frames. For example, a data radio may perform a scan ina first band of frequencies and may receive a beacon frame associatedwith a first access point with information about a second access pointin a second, different band of frequencies. Alternatively, a data radiomay receive a group-addressed frame associated with a first access pointin a first band of frequencies with information about a second accesspoint in a second, different band of frequencies.

Moreover, in the communication techniques, a variety of different MLscanning operations are disclosed. For example, as shown in FIG. 26 ,which presents a drawing illustrating an example of communicationbetween electronic devices, when a station is not currently associatedwith an access point, OoB discovery may occur during initial scanning.Notably, a link may be setup after all bands of frequencies are scanned.Thus, a scanning radio may perform a scan in the 2.4 GHz band offrequencies, and one or more data radios may perform additional scans inthe 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands of frequencies, which may discover moredetailed information than the initial scan. Then, a link with an AP MLDmay be setup, e.g., in the 5 GHz band of frequencies.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 27 , which presents a drawingillustrating an example of communication between electronic devices, alink may be set up after an initial scan in a first band of frequencieswhile (or concurrently) with additional scans in other bands offrequencies, which may discover more detailed information than theinitial scan. Thus, a data radio may perform a scan in the 2.4 GHz bandof frequencies, and may initiate scans by a scanning radio in the 5 GHzband of frequencies and another data radio in the 6 GHz band offrequencies, while a link with an AP MLD is set up in the 2.4 GHz bandof frequencies.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 28 , which presents a drawing illustratingan example of communication between electronic devices, scanning mayoccur after a station is associated. For example, a data radio mayswitch from transmitting/receiving in the 5 GHz band of frequencies(e.g., based at least in part on the OoB information) to scan a channelin the 6 GHz band of frequencies to receive a special beacon frame type.This may allow the non-AP MLD to use a data radio to discover one ormore other access points, but may cause an interruption to datacommunication in the 5 GHz band of frequencies.

Instead, as shown in FIG. 29 , which presents a drawing illustrating anexample of communication between electronic devices, in some embodimentswhile a data radio is transmitting or receiving in the 5 GHz band offrequencies, the data radio may initiate (e.g., based at least in parton the OoB information) a scan by a scanning radio in the 6 GHz band offrequencies. For example, a non-AP MLD may know the transmitted beacontype, so it may use the scanning radio. Thus, the scanning radio may beused to receive a non-HT beacon frame type without a break orinterruption in data communication in the 5 GHz band of frequencies.

The use of OoB information may address the challenges of non-HTduplicate PPDU beacon reception in the 6 GHz band of frequencies.Notably, as shown in FIG. 30 , which presents a drawing illustrating anexample of a non-HT duplicate PPDU, a station may not know the primarychannel of an access point. For example, the station may receive abeacon transmitted as non-HT Duplicate PPDU. In other beacon frametypes, the beacon can be received only in the primary channel of theaccess point, but in this case the station may receive the beacon onother channels. However, because the beacon does not signal the primarychannel of the access point, and because the access point may onlyreceive frames in its primary channel, the scanning station may need totest different channels to locate the primary channel of the accesspoint.

Alternatively or additionally, a station may not know the non-HTduplicate PPDU beacon bandwidth. Notably, as shown in FIG. 31 , whichpresents a drawing illustrating an example of a beacon, the RNR mayprovide: the primary 20 MHz (P20) channel and band; and the maximumpower spectral density at P20. However, the RNR may not signal: whetherthe access point transmits 80 MHz wide non-HT Duplicate Beacons; and/orwhether the access point receives 80 MHz wide non-HT duplicate PPDUs. Ifthe scanning station has this information, it could increase the networkuplink (UL) and downlink (DL) coverage by, e.g., scanning for 80 MHzwide beacons and/or transmit 80 MHz wide link setup frames.

In order to facilitate these capabilities in the communicationtechniques, the access point may transmit modified beacon frame typeinformation. Notably, the PPDU type and MCS of the beacon andgroup-addressed frames affect the BSS range. For example, an accesspoint may reduce the BSS range by using higher transmission rates. Notethat enterprise access points and access points in public venues mayincrease access-point density and transmission rates in a network bytransmitting beacons only at high data rates. Moreover, FCC regulationsin the 6 GHz band of frequencies allow an access point to enlarge theBSS range by transmitting beacons in the non-HT Duplicate PPDUs withlarger than 20 MHz transmission bandwidth. A scanning station canreceive beacons at a long range if the scanning station receives packetsor frames using a larger receive bandwidth. However, as discussedpreviously, the current signaling does not indicate when a scanningstation should use a large receive bandwidth. When the scanning stationknows the beacon frame and/or probe response frame transmission format,the scanning station may improve or optimize a scanning radio for thebeacon or probe response frame it tries to receive. This may reduce thescanning station power consumption and/or may ensure reliable reception.Alternatively, in a high-density deployment, a reduced range may be morehelpful and may provide improved communication performance (such ashigher throughput). In some embodiments, an AP MLD with maximized rangesmay: transmit beacon frames at 1 Mbps from access point 210-1 in the 2.4GHz band of frequencies; transmit beacon frames at 6 Mbps from accesspoint 210-2 in the 5 GHz band of frequencies; and transmit beacon framesand/or 160 MHz non-HT duplicate PPDUs at 6 Mbps from access point 210-3in the 6 GHz band of frequencies.

Moreover, in order to facilitate the capabilities in the communicationtechniques, the access point may transmit (such as after association andauthentication) modified group-addressed frame type information.Notably, affiliated access points may transmit group frames withdifferent data rates and PPDU types. The group-addressed frametransmission parameters signaling may help the associated non-AP MLD to:receive group-addressed frames from an affiliated access point that hasthe most-suitable transmission rate (e.g., for reliable reception, for asmall or reduced receive time to save power, and/or using an optimalreceive mode to receive the frames with minimum power consumption);and/or detect group-addressed frames transmission rate changes.Furthermore, the associated AP MLD may use group-addressed frametransmission parameters to: receive group frames with a scanning radio(the group frames may be transmitted at a low rate, but the reduced orsmall power consumption of the scanning radio may justify theoperation); and/or receive group frames with a data radio (the groupframes may be transmitted using high modulation in a reduced or smallamount of time and/or the reduced length of operation of the data radiomay not increase the overall power consumption). In some embodiments,access point 210-1 in an AP MLD may transmit group frames at 6 Mbps inthe 2.4 GHz band of frequencies, access point 210-2 in the AP MLD maytransmit group frames at 24 Mbps in the 5 GHz band of frequencies, andaccess point 210-3 in the AP MLD may transmit group frames with HE SUMCS 6 in the 6 GHz band of frequencies. Additionally, station 218-1 in anon-AP MLD may use a data radio in the 2.4 GHz band of frequencies,station 218-2 in the non-AP MLD may use a data radio in the 5 GHz or 6GHz band of frequencies, and station 218-3 in the non-AP MLD may use ascanning radio in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz or 6 GHz band of frequencies.

An example of scanning radio and data radio use to receive group framesis shown in FIG. 32 , which presents a drawing illustrating an exampleof communication between electronic devices. Note that a non-AP MLD mayhave three concurrent links with an AP MLD. Initially, no active datatransmission may be ongoing. The station may receive, using a scanningradio and via the link in the 2.4 GHz band of frequencies, deliverytraffic indication message (DTIM) beacons and group frames in a non-HTPPDU at 6 Mbps. Moreover, the station may not receive, via the link inthe 5 GHz band of frequencies, DTIM beacons and group frames in a non-HTPPDU at 6 Mbps. Furthermore, the station may not receive, via the linkin the 6 GHz band of frequencies, DTIM beacons and group frames in a HESU PPDU at 65 Mbps.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 33 , which presents a drawingillustrating an example of communication between electronic devices,when data transmission or reception is ongoing, the station may notreceive, via the link in the 2.4 GHz band of frequencies, DTIM beaconsand group frames in a non-HT PPDU at 6 Mbps. Moreover, the station maynot receive, via the link in the 5 GHz band of frequencies, DTIM beaconsand group frames in a non-HT PPDU at 6 Mbps. Furthermore, the stationmay receive, using a data radio and the link in the 6 GHz band offrequencies, DTIM beacons and group frames in a HE SU PPDU at 65 Mbps.

Thus, a scanning radio may be relevant, if the station is in a long-termpower saving mode and it not actively sending data. In theseembodiments, the scanning radio may periodically wake up only to receiveDTIM beacon and group frames. Alternatively, during ongoing dataexchange, group frames may be received similarly to data. Consequently,a station may perform discovery of group-addressed frames even whenanother radio in the station is actively transmitting or performingdiscovery in a different band of frequencies.

We now describe embodiments of signaling for beacon frame informationand/or group frames type information in the communication techniques. Insignaling for legacy (non-IEEE 802.11be) stations, the legacy accesspoints do not have any beacon frame type element and/or group framestransmission type signaling. For the legacy (non-IEEE 802.11be)stations, the signaling for beacon and probe response may include: anRNR to indicate co-located or cohosted access points (so that a stationcan detect the beacon transmit parameters of other access points);and/or elements may be added to the frame body to signal transmittingaccess-point parameters (so a station can know whether the access pointsends larger than 20 MHz beacons and the primary channel of the accesspoint). Moreover, the signaling for an association response may includean element in the frame body to signal the transmitting access-pointparameters (so a station can know whether the access point sends largerthan 20 MHz beacons in the group-frame transmit parameters).Furthermore, the signaling for BSS transition management may includethat an access point may request a station to transition to a candidateaccess and provide beacon and group frames parameters of the candidateaccess point (so that the station can detect the candidate access-pointbeacon transmission mode, which may help or facilitate access-pointdiscovery).

In contrast, the additional or modified information in the communicationtechniques may be include in an AP MLD beacon and/or ML-probe responseframe. Notably, an element in the body of the association request orresponse, the beacon or the probe response may report information of thetransmitting access point using a complete set of information elements(which may have a size in octets). Moreover, an RNR may includeinformation of co-located or cohosted (in the same physical accesspoint) or neighboring access points. Note that the access points in anAP MLDS may be present in the RNR. In addition, a very short formal size(e.g., in bits) may be used to convey: the operating channel, the BSSID,the SSID, the TBTT, etc.

Furthermore, the ML element may include common parameters, such asML-level common information of the access points in an AP MLD. Note thatthe ML element may include parameters for each access point in an AP MLDor ML-level parameters. Additionally, the ML element may includeper-station parameters, such as information for other access points inan AP MLD using an information element that is similar to those in abeacon body. In some embodiments, the RNR and/or the per-stationparameters in the ML element may be used to convey the beacon frame typeinformation.

In some embodiments of the disclosed communication techniques, theadditional or modified information fields and elements may include: theRNR, the beacon frame type information element, the group frame typeinformation element, the beacon frame type subfield in the per-stationprofile in the ML element, and/or the group frame type information inthe per-station profile in the ML element. Notably, in the RNR of thereported device, the co-located or cohosted and neighbor access-pointparameters may include a reserved bit for legacy (IEEE 802.11ax) supportand up to four additional bits to indicate IEEE 802.11be support.

Moreover, the beacon frame type information element and/or the groupframe type information element in a beacon, probe response and/orassociation frames may signal the transmitting access-point parametersof the reported device. For example, these information elements mayinclude an additional 6 octet long element to indicate legacy (IEEE802.11 ax) support and IEEE 802.11be support. Alternatively, the beaconframe type information element and/or the group frame type informationelement in a BSS transition management frame may signal candidateaccess-point parameters. For example, these information elements mayinclude an additional 5 octet long element to indicate legacy (IEEE802.11 ax) support and IEEE 802.11be support.

Furthermore, the beacon frame type information subfield in theper-station profile in the ML element and/or the group frame typeinformation in the per-station profile in the ML element may includeaffiliated access-point parameters in an AP MLD of the reported device.In these embodiments, there may not be an indication of legacy (IEEE802.11 ax) support and IEEE 802.11be support may be include in theper-station profile for an affiliated station.

Additionally, in some embodiments there may be additional or modifiedRNR fields for the reported AP beacon or discovery information element.This is shown in FIGS. 34 and 35 , which present drawings illustratingexamples of an RNR. Notably, the RNR element may use a few reserved bitsto signal the beacon frame type of reported access points. For example,one or more additional subfields may use a reserved bit in a BSSparameters subfield 3410 to indicate that the beacon is other than anon-HT beacon to an IEEE 802.11ax-compatible station, and/or one or moreadditional subfields may use reserved bits in an MLD parameters subfield3510 to indicate larger than a 20 MHz PPDU and/or pre-associated longrange to an IEEE 802.11be-compatible station. More generally, one ormore additional subfields may use a reserved bit in a BSS parameterssubfield 3410 to indicate the beacon type. These changes to the RNR mayhelp in selection of a scanning radio or a data radio for access-pointscanning; and/or may help select the probe request and/or associationrequest frame format.

In some embodiments, the other than non-HT beacon bit may be set, e.g.,to ‘1’ when the access point transmits beacons in a non-HT PPDU formator non-HT duplicate PPDU (which may have a beacon transmission data ratethat is less than or equal to 24 Mbps); and/or may be set, e.g., to ‘0’otherwise (such as when the beacon transmission data rate is greaterthan 24 Mbps). Moreover, the pre-associated long-range bit may be, e.g.,set to ‘1’ if an access point receives UL class 1 and class 2 frames,e.g., frames that can be transmitted in pre-associated state, fromnon-associated stations on any supported MCSs and PPDU types.Furthermore, the larger than 20 MHz PPDU bit may be set, e.g., to ‘1’ ifa beacon is transmitted using greater than 20 MHz bandwidth.

Moreover, FIG. 36 , which presents a drawing illustrating an example anRNR 3610, summarizes the additional or modified elements in RNR 3610 forbeacon, probe-response and group-addressed frame information. Notably,as discussed further below in Tables 1-4, information in RNR 3610specifying a beacon and a probe response may include: an elementidentifier subfield (e.g., using 1 octet), a length subfield (e.g.,using 1 octet), an element identifier extension subfield (e.g., using 1octet), and a beacon information subfield (e.g., using 3 octets). Thebeacon information subfield may include: a beacon PPDU type (e.g., using3 bits), a beacon MCS (e.g., using 5 bits), a broadcast RU with AID of2045 (e.g., using 1 bit), a beacon bandwidth (e.g., using 3 bits), allPPDU formats received from non-associated stations (e.g., using 1 bit),an indication that an access point will change beacon transmission mode(e.g., using 3 bits), and/or a primary channel number (e.g., using 8bits). Note that the primary channel number of the reported access pointmay be defined with an operating class. Alternatively or additionally,information in RNR 3610 specifying a group-addressed frame may include:an element identifier subfield (e.g., using 1 octet), a length subfield(e.g., using 1 octet), an element identifier extension subfield (e.g.,using 1 octet), and a group-frames information subfield (e.g., using 2octets). The group-frames information subfield may include: a group PPDUtype (e.g., using 3 bits), a group MCS (e.g., using 5 bits), a broadcastRU with AID of 2046 or 2047 (e.g., using 1 bit), a group bandwidth(e.g., using 3 bits), an indication of no group frames buffering (e.g.,using 1 bit), a group frames transmission amount (e.g., using 2 bits),and/or access-point changes to a group transmission mode (e.g., using 1bit).

Furthermore, FIG. 37 , which presents a drawing illustrating an exampleof a beacon or a discovery frame information subfield, summarizes theadditional or modified per-station profile fields for beacon and groupframes information. Notably, the ML element may signal, for eachper-station profile, the beacon and group frames transmission parametersfor the reported access points. In some embodiments, a station controlfield 3712 in RNR 3710 may include: a link identifier subfield (e.g.,using 4 bits), a complete profile subfield (e.g., using 1 bit), a MACaddress present subfield (e.g., using 1 bit), a beacon interval presentsubfield (e.g., using 1 bit), a DTIM information present subfield (e.g.,using 1 bit), an NSTR link pair present subfield (e.g., using 1 bit), anNSTR bitmap size subfield (e.g., using 1 bit), a beacon frameinformation present subfield (e.g., using 1 bit), a group framesinformation present subfield (e.g., using 1 bit), and a reservedsubfield (e.g., using 4 bits). As described further below, the beaconframe information present subfield may indicate whether beacon frameinformation is present, and the group frames information presentsubfield may indicate whether group frames information is present.

Referring back to FIG. 36 , the beacon frame information subfield mayinclude the transmission parameters of the beacon frames of the reportedaccess point, including: the beacon PPDU type (e.g., using 3 bits),which defines the beacon frame PPDU type of the reported access point;the beacon MCSs (e.g., using 5 bits), which are discussed further belowin Tables 1-4; the Broadcast RU with AID 2045 (e.g., using 1 bit), whichindicates whether the reported access point transmits a probe responseor fast initial link setup (FILS) discovery frames in a broadcast RU ofa DL HE MU PPDU; the beacon bandwidth (e.g., using 3 bits), whichindicates the bandwidth of the beacon PPDU; the all PPDU formatsreceived from non-associated stations (e.g., using 1 bit), whichindicate whether the reported access point receives all PPDU formatsfrom non-associated stations; and/or the access point will change beacontransmission mode (e.g., using 3 bits), which contains a number ofbeacon intervals when the access point will change its beacon values.

For the beacon PPDU type: a value of ‘0’ may indicate a non-HT PPDU; avalue of ‘1’ may indicate an ER SU PPDU; a value of ‘2’ may indicate anHE SU PPDU; a value of ‘3’ may indicate a non-HT duplicate PPDU; andvalues of ‘4’ through ‘7’ may be reserved. Moreover, for the beaconbandwidth: a value of ‘0’ may indicate a 20 MHz bandwidth; a value of‘1’ may indicate a 40 MHz bandwidth; a value of ‘2’ may indicate an 80MHz bandwidth; a value of ‘3’ may indicate a 160 MHz bandwidth; a valueof ‘4’ may indicate a 320 MHz bandwidth; and values of ‘4’ through ‘7’may be reserved. Additionally, for the access point will change beacontransmission mode: a value of ‘0’ may signal that no change is coming;and if the value is greater than ‘0,’ then the access point may includetwo beacon information elements, where the first includes the currentparameters and the second includes the new values.

Moreover, for the different beacon PPDU types, Tables 1 and 2 show, forHT, VHT, HE, and/or EHT MCSs, the number of spatial streams, themodulation and/or the coding. Furthermore, for the different beacon PPDUtypes, Tables 3 and 4 show, for IEEE 802.11be DSSS data rates and non-HTOFDMA MCSs, modulation and/or coding.

TABLE 1 HT MCS Spatial Streams Modulation Coding 0 1 BPSK 1/2 1 1 QPSK1/2 2 1 QPSK 3/4 3 1 16 QAM 1/2 4 1 16 QAM 3/4 5 1 64 QAM 2/3 6 1 64 QAM3/4 7 1 64 QAM 5/6 8 2 BPSK 1/2 9 2 QPSK 1/2 10 2 QPSK 3/4 11 2 16 QAM1/2 12 2 16 QAM 3/4 13 2 64 QAM 2/3 14 2 64 QAM 3/4 15 2 64 QAM 5/6 16 3BPSK 1/2 17 3 QPSK 1/2 18 3 QPSK 3/4 19 3 16 QAM 1/2 20 3 16 QAM 3/4 213 64 QAM 2/3 22 3 64 QAM 3/4 23 3 64 QAM 5/6 24 4 BPSK 1/2 25 4 QPSK 1/226 4 QPSK 3/4 27 4 16 QAM 1/2 28 4 16 QAM 3/4 29 4 64 QAM 2/3 30 4 64QAM 3/4

TABLE 2 VHT MCS HE MCS EHT MCS Modulation Coding 0 0 0 BPSK 1/2 1 1 1QPSK 1/2 2 2 2 QPSK 3/4 3 3 3 16 QAM 1/2 4 4 4 16 QAM 3/4 5 5 5 64 QAM2/3 6 6 6 64 QAM 3/4 7 7 7 64 QAM 5/6 8 8 8 256 QAM 3/4 9 9 9 256 QAM5/6 — 10 10 1024 QAM 3/4 — 11 11 1024 QAM 5/6 — — 12 4096 QAM 3/4 — — 134096 QAM 5/6 — — 14 BPSK + DCM + DUP 1/2 — — 15 BPSK + DCM 1/2

TABLE 3 IEEE 802.11be (DSSS) Data Rate Modulation Basic Rate 1 MbpsDBPSK Enhanced Rate 2 Mbps DQPSK HR Rate 1 5.5 Mbps CCK HR Rate 2 11Mbps CCK

TABLE 4 Non-HT OFDM MCSs Modulation Coding 0 BPSK 1/2 1 BPSK 3/4 2 QPSK1/2 3 QPSK 3/4 4 16 QAM 1/2 5 16 QAM 3/4 6 64 QAM 2/3 7 64 QAM 3/4

Referring back to FIG. 36 , the group frames information subfield mayspecify group frames transmission parameters of the reported accesspoint, including: the group PPDU type (e.g., using 3 bits) and the groupMCS (e.g., using 5 bits), which define the group frames MCS of thereported access point; the broadcast RU with AID of 2046 or 2047 (e.g.,using 1 bit), which indicate whether the reported access point transmitsgroup frames in a broadcast RU of a DL HE MU PPDU; the group bandwidth(e.g., using 3 bits), which indicates the bandwidth of the transmittedgroup frames; the no group frames buffering (e.g., using 1 bit), whichmay be set to ‘1’ if an access point transmits immediately the arrivedgroup frames (in this operation, the access point may not transmit groupframes after a DTIM beacon); the group frames transmission amount (e.g.,using 2 bits), which signals whether an access point sends all, no or apartial set of group frames; and the access point change a grouptransmission mode (e.g., using 1 bit), which signals the number of DTIMbeacons after which group frames transmission parameters will change.

For the group PPDU type: a value of ‘0’ may indicate a non-HT PPDU; avalue of ‘1’ may indicate an ER SU PPDU; a value of ‘2’ may indicate anHE SU PPDU; a value of ‘3’ may indicate a non-HT duplicate PPDU; a valueof ‘4’ may indicate an HE MU PPDU; and values of ‘5’ through ‘7’ may bereserved. Moreover, for the group bandwidth: a value of ‘0’ may indicatea 20 MHz bandwidth; a value of ‘1’ may indicate a 40 MHz bandwidth; avalue of ‘2’ may indicate an 80 MHz bandwidth; a value of ‘3’ mayindicate a 160 MHz bandwidth; a value of ‘4’ may indicate a 320 MHzbandwidth; and values of ‘5’ through ‘7’ may be reserved. Furthermore,for the group frames transmission amount: a value of ‘0’ may indicatethat all frames are transmitted; a value of ‘1’ may indicate that nogroup frames are transmitted; and a value of ‘2’ may indicate that someframes are only groupcast with retries (GRC) transmitted. Additionally,for the access point change a group transmission mode: a value of ‘0’may signal no change is coming; and if the value is greater than ‘0,’then the access point may include two group informationsubfields/elements, where the first includes the current parameters andthe second includes the new values.

We now describe embodiments in which the transmission power may beconfigured. In the 6 GHz band of frequencies, the regulatory maximumtransmit power of an access point and non-AP station may change.Typically, the same transmit power is used for all frames. Note that theaccess point transmit power and the station transmit power effect theBSS range and interference with neighboring electronic devices. Asdescribed further below, in the disclosed communication techniques, atransmission power envelope for an access point in an AP MLD that isoperating in the 6 GHz band of frequencies may be included in aper-station profile in the RNR.

Notably, in the 6 GHz band of frequencies, the RNR may include themaximum station transmit power for the primary 20 MHz channel, for linksetup or a probe request. Moreover, in the 6 GHz band of frequencies,the transmitting access point may signal its transmit power and devicetype in a transmission power envelope and country element.

In some embodiments of the communication techniques, stations thatreceive a beacon from a low-power indoor (LPI) access point can use thehigher LPI client transmit power in the 6 GHz band of frequencies. Thebeacon may also be received on other channels or in other bands offrequencies. Moreover, OoB information associated with the LPI accesspoint may simplify the use of LPI station power levels by the station inthe 6 GHz band of frequencies.

In order to facilitate these embodiments (and to support regulation,e.g., from the Federal Communication Commission), additional 6 GHzdevice types may be defined. Notably, in addition to an indoor accesspoint (which may be indicated by a value of ‘0’), a low power indooraccess point (which may be indicated by a value of ‘0’) and a standardpower access point (which may be indicated by a value of ‘1’), there maybe: a very low power access point (which may be indicated by a value of‘2’), a client-to-client device (which may be indicated by a value of‘3’) and/or an indoor standard power access point (which may beindicated by a value of ‘4’). Note that a very low power access pointmay be an access point whose operation does not require control from anexternal system (such as an automated frequency coordination or AFCsystem), is not subject to additional regulatory requirements makingoutdoor operation difficult or prohibited, and is typically restrictedto very low transmit power. Moreover, a client-to-client device may bean access point whose operation relies on being able to successfullyreceive an enabling signal (as defined by the regulatory rules) from anindoor access point or an indoor standard power access point.Furthermore, an indoor standard power access point may be an accesspoint whose operation requires control from an external system (such asan AFC system) and is subject to additional regulatory requirementsmaking outdoor operation difficult or prohibited.

Moreover, Table 5 provide maximum power levels (e.g., a maximumeffective isotropic radiated power or EIRP) for different access-pointdevices classes and channel sizes.

TABLE 5 Maximum EIRP Channel Power Spectral Size/Maximum TransmissionDevice Class Maximum EIRP Density EIRP Power Type Standard-Power 36 dBm23 dBm/MHz 320 MHz/36 dBm  AFC can Access Point and 160 MHz/36 dBm configure the Fixed Client (AFC 80 MHz/36 dBm maximum EIRP Controlled)40 MHz/36 dBm power in 3 dBm 20 MHz/36 dBm steps from 36 dBm down to 21dBm, e.g., the maximum EIRP power is 36, 33, 30, 27, 24 or 21 dBm ClientConnected 30 dBm 17 dBm/MHz 320 MHz/30 dBm  The client to Standard-Power160 MHz/30 dBm  maximum EIRP Access Point 80 MHz/30 dBm power is 6 dB 40MHz/30 dBm lower than access 20 MHz/30 dBm point power, e.g., themaximum EIRP power is 30, 27, 24, 21, 18 or 15 dBm Low-Power 30 dBm  5dBm/MHz 320 MHz/30 dBm  Defines the single Access Point 160 MHz/27 dBm maximum (Indoor Only) 80 MHz/24 dBm transmission 40 MHz/21 dBm powerlevel 20 MHz/18 dBm Client Connected 24 dBm −1 dBm/MHz 320 MHz/24 dBm Defines the single to Low-Power 160 MHz/21 dBm  maximum Access Point 80MHz/18 dBm transmission 40 MHz/15 dBm power level 20 MHz/12 dBm Very-LowPower 14 dBm −8 dBm/MHz 320 MHz/14 dBm  Defines the single Unlicensed160 MHz/14 dBm  maximum Device 80 MHz/11 dBm transmission 40 MHz/8 dBm power level 20 MHz/5 dBm 

Furthermore, in the communication techniques a transmission power or anaccess point may be updated. Notably, an access point may use a TPCreport element to signal its transmission power level, unless the accesspoint transmits at regulatory maximum transmission power. The TPC reportelement may signal the transmission power level of an access point forall frames. Thus, the access point may use this transmission power levelto transmit all of its frames (e.g., in at least the 6 GHz band offrequencies), including its beacons and group frames. Consequently,there may not be a need to add a separate field for beacon transmitpower.

As shown in FIG. 38 , which presents a drawing illustrating an exampleof a TPC report element 3810, TPC report element 3810 may include: anelement identifier (e.g., using 1 octet), a length (e.g., using 1octet), the transmit power (e.g., using 1 octet) and/or a link margin(e.g., using 1 octet). The transmit power field may be set to thetransmit power used to transmit the frame containing TPC report element3810. This field may be coded as a 2s-complement signed integer in unitsof decibels relative to 1 mW. The tolerance for the transmit power valuereported in TPC report element 3810 may be ±5 dB. This tolerance may bedefined as the difference, in decibels, between the reported power valueand the actual EIRP of a station (when transmitting 1500 octet frames orthe maximum MAC protocol data unit (MPDU)-sized frames, whichever issmaller).

Additionally, the link margin field may include the link margin for thereceive time and for the receive rate of the frame containing the TPCrequest element or the link measurement request frame. The field may becoded as a 2s-compliment signed integer in units of decibels. Note thelink margin field may be reserved when a TPC report element is includedin a beacon frame or a probe response frame.

In the communication techniques, a variety of signaling may be used toconvey associated configuration parameters. Notably, as describedpreviously, an AP MLD may signal the group beacon and/or group framestransmission parameters it transmits. These capabilities may allow astation to detect the current beacon and/or group transmission parametervalues, and may provide signaling for legacy (non-IEEE 802.11be) andIEEE 802.11be-compliant stations. Moreover, as described further below,an AP MLD may signal a changed or an upcoming beacon and/or group framestransmission parameters change time and the transmission parametervalues after the transition. These capabilities may allow stations todetect or prepare for the upcoming parameters change, which may providemore reliable BSS operation. Furthermore, as described further below, anAP MLD may request a transmission mode for beacon and/or group frames.These capabilities may allow stations to specify how an access pointshould transmit beacons and/or group-addressed frames, and thus toimprove or optimize beacon and/or group frames transmission parameters.Additionally, as described further below, an AP MLD may configureallowed beacon and/or group transmission parameter changes and may setupa reporting scheme or technique for beacon and/or group frame receptionby one or more station(s). These capabilities may allow an AP MLD tochange beacon and/or group frames transmission parameters to change foronly some affiliated access points. Note that non-AP MLDs can alsoreport the links in which they can operate.

Furthermore, a change sequence number (CSN) may be used by an accesspoint to communicate a critical BSS parameter update to a station.Notably, a non-AP MLD may receive beacons on any link. In order toreduce non-AP MLD power consumption, a change sequence in the RNR and/orthe ML element in a beacon frame may be a counter for affiliatedAP-specific critical operating parameter update. An additional ormodified value may indicate that a link-specific parameter value ischanged. In some embodiments, if a critical capability update flagsubfield is set to ‘1’ to indicate that a change sequence value of anyaffiliated access point of the AP MLD or an ML element parameter havechanged. Note that each transmit and non-transmit BSS may have its owncritical capability update flag.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 39A and 39B, which presents a drawingillustrating an example of communication between electronic devices,access point 210-1 operating in the 2.4 GHz band of frequencies maytransmit traffic indication message (TIM) beacons that indicate accesspoint 210-1 has a critical capability update value of ‘1’, access point210-2 has a change sequence number of 21, and access point 210-3 has achange sequence number of 65. Moreover, access point 210-2 operating inthe 5 GHz band of frequencies may transmit TIM beacons that indicateaccess point 210-2 has a critical capability update value of ‘1’, accesspoint 210-1 has a change sequence number of 102, and access point 210-3has a change sequence number of 65. Thus, these beacons may indicateparameter value changes for the change sequence number of access point210-1. Furthermore, access point 210-3 operating in the 6 GHz band offrequencies may transmit a first TIM beacon that indicates access point210-2 has a critical capability update value of ‘0’, access point 210-1has a change sequence number of 102, and access point 210-2 has a changesequence number of 20. Then, access point 210-3 operating in the 6 GHzband of frequencies may transmit a second TIM beacon that indicatesaccess point 210-2 has a critical capability update value of ‘1’, accesspoint 210-1 has a change sequence number of 102, and access point 210-2has a change sequence number of 21.

Additionally, access point 210-1 operating in the 2.4 GHz band offrequencies may transmit a TIM beacon with a critical capability updateflag of ‘0’. Then, when a parameter change for access point 210-2occurs, access point 210-1 may transmit TIM beacons and a DTIM beaconwith a critical update flag of ‘1.’ Subsequently, access point 210-1 maytransmit TIM beacons and a DTIM beacon with a critical update flag of‘0.’

Moreover, in the communication techniques, modified beacon and/or groupframes type information values may increase the change sequence number.Notably, if an AP updates its transmission power, beacon frame typeinformation and/or group frame type information element, then: anAP-specific change sequence number may be increased. When an associatednon-AP MLD detects that the change sequence number value has changed,then it may receive the updated AP-specific parameters.

This is shown in FIGS. 40A and 40B, which presents a drawingillustrating an example of communication between electronic devices.Notably, access point 210-2 operating in the 5 GHz band of frequenciesmay transmit TIM beacons that indicate access point 210-2 has a criticalcapability update value of ‘1’, access point 210-1 has a change sequencenumber of 102, and access point 210-3 has a change sequence number of65. Thus, these beacons may indicate beacon transmission parameter valuechanges for the change sequence number of access point 210-1.

Furthermore, the AP MLD may signal an upcoming beacon and/or grouptransmission model change. Notably, the updated information element maybe added to the beacons and/or probe responses the access pointtransmits. The other affiliated access points may include the updatedbeacon and/or group frames transmission parameters to their beacons.Note that the information may be added or included before the actualtransmission mode change occurs. In some embodiments, the access pointmay update the group frames transmission parameters in a TIM beaconmultiple beacon intervals before the next DTIM. This may provide timefor associated stations to select the DTIM beacon they receive. Astation may signal that it is not capable to receive in the updated modeby requesting a lower transmission mode. In response, an access pointmay cancel the transmission mode change, if many stations signal thatthey cannot receive the transmissions on the updated mode.

For example, access point 210-1 operating in the 2.4 GHz band offrequencies may transmit a first TIM beacon that indicates access point210-1 has a beacon transmission mode change and a critical capabilityupdate value of ‘0’, access point 210-2 has a change sequence number of20, and access point 210-3 has a change sequence number of 65. Then,access point 210-1 may transmit a second TIM beacon that indicatesaccess point 210-1 has a critical capability update value of ‘1’, accesspoint 210-2 has a change sequence number of 20, and access point 210-3has a change sequence number of 66. Moreover, access point 210-2operating in the 5 GHz band of frequencies may transmit a first TIMbeacon that indicates access point 210-2 has a beacon transmission modechange and a critical capability update value of ‘0’, access point 210-1has a change sequence number of 102, and access point 210-3 has a changesequence number of 65. Then, access point 210-2 may transmit a secondTIM beacon that indicates access point 210-2 has a critical capabilityupdate value of ‘1’, access point 210-1 has a change sequence number of102, and access point 210-3 has a change sequence number of 66.Furthermore, access point 210-3 operating in the 6 GHz band offrequencies may transmit a first TIM beacon that indicates access point210-3 has a beacon transmission mode change, access point 210-1 has achange sequence number of 102, and access point 210-2 has a changesequence number of 20. Then, access point 210-3 may transmit a secondTIM beacon that indicates access point 210-3 has a critical capabilityupdate value of ‘1’, access point 210-1 has a change sequence number of102, and access point 210-2 has a change sequence number of 20. Thus,the second TIM beacon transmitted by access point 210-3 may indicatebeacon transmit parameter changes.

Additionally, access point 210-3 operating in the 6 GHz band offrequencies may transmit TIM beacons and a DTIM beacon with upcomingbeacon and/or group-addressed frames transmit parameter changes. Then,access point 210-3 may transmit TIM beacons and a DTIM beacon with acritical capability update flag of ‘1’.

As shown in FIG. 41 , which presents a drawing illustrating an exampleof communication between electronic devices, in some embodiments astation may request the beacon and/or group frames transmission mode.Notably, an access point (such as access point 210-1) may signal supportfor beacon and/or group frames transmission mode requests. For example,in an association response (when a station is not yet associated), anaccess point in an AP MLD may communicate a beacon and/or group framesreporting condition and a maximum/minimum range to a station in a non-APMLD (such as electronic device 110-1). Alternatively, when the stationis already associated, the access point in the AP MLD may, in a beaconand group-addressed frames notify, inform the station of the reportingcondition and the maximum/minimum range. In some embodiments, thestation may optionally transmit a beacon and group frames transmissionmode request, including: the link, a minimum transmission mode, amaximum transmission mode, and/or a receive history with a number ofbeacon and/or group frames received, and the links from which the framesare received. Moreover, the AP MLD may transmit a beacon and groupframes transmission mode response, including: success, reportingconditions, a number of links, and a table with information specifying:links, minimum transmission modes and maximum transmission modes.

Thus, an access point may signal the affiliated access points whichbeacon and/or group frames transmission modes may be changed based onstation requests. Moreover, the access point may: signal the maximum andminimum transmission modes and data rates for group frames and beaconframes it allows for links; and/or signal whether the access point maysend some or all group frames as unicast frame copies for station(s)and/or non-AP MLD(s) that request unicast copies. Note that the accesspoint may request an autonomous measurement setup (e.g., signal that theaccess point receives beacons and group reception quality reportframes). The access point may specify a condition when a station reportssuitable beacon and/or group frames transmission modes and/or to providea reception history of the frames to the access point. For example,consecutive failed/successful beacon receive operations, or DTIM beaconswithout any group-addressed frames may trigger a report transmission tothe access point. In some embodiments, the station may transmitunsolicited receive statistics of the beacon frames and/or group framesor solicited receive statistics.

In some embodiments, configurable link parameters that may be includedin the association response or the beacon and group-addressed framesnotify of FIG. 41 . Notably, the beacon and group frame types elementmay be added to the association response and beacons. For example, asshown in FIG. 42 , which presents a drawing illustrating an example of abeacon and group frames type element 4210, the beacon and group framestype element 4210 may include: an element identifier (e.g., using 1octet), a length (e.g., using 1 octet), an element identifier extension(e.g., using 1 octet), beacon frame alternatives (e.g., using 5-11octets), group frame alternatives (e.g., using 5-11 octets) and a beaconmaximum bandwidth (e.g., using 3 octets). Moreover, for a beacon, thebeacon and group frames type element 4210 may include: configurable linkidentifiers for beacon bitmap (e.g., using 16 bits), a number of beacontypes (e.g., using 2 bits), 6 reserved bits, and one or more instances(depending on the number of beacon frame types) of: a beacon PPDU type(e.g., using 3 bits), a minimum beacon MCS (e.g., using 5 bits), amaximum beacon MCS (e.g., using 5 bits), and a beacon maximum bandwidth(e.g., using 3 bits). Alternatively, for a group-addressed frame, thebeacon and group frames type element 4210 may include: configurable linkidentifiers for group frames bitmap (e.g., using 16 bits), a number ofgroup frame types (e.g., using 2 bits), 6 reserved bits, and one or moreinstances (depending on the number of beacon group frame types) of: agroup frame PPDU type (e.g., using 3 bits), a minimum MCS (e.g., using 5bits), a maximum MCS (e.g., using 5 bits), and a maximum bandwidth(e.g., using 3 bits).

Thus, the beacon and group frame types element may specify the allowedbeacon frame and/or group frame configurations for the links. Note thata link identifier bitmap may have a value ‘1’ if the link can beconfigured. Moreover, instances of the element for group-addressedframes may include one or more instances of a group frame PPDU type, aminimum group frame MCS, a maximum group frame MCS and a maximum groupframe bandwidth.

Therefore, the number of beacon and/or group frame types may define thenumber of PPDU type, a minimum and a maximum MCS, and bandwidth fieldsthat may be configured for the AP MLD. In some embodiments, the non-APstation may propose an MCS that is within the minimum and the maximumMCS.

Referring back to FIG. 41 , for a beacon and group frames transmissionmode from a station, a non-AP MLD or station may request a beacon frameand/or group-addressed frames transmission mode from an access point.The request may include minimum and maximum transmission modesseparately for beacon and/or group frames. Note that a request may befor one specific link or for any link. The request may specify multiplealternative transmission modes for beacon and/or group frames. An accesspoint may select one of the transmission modes for beacons and onetransmission mode for group frames. The multiple transmission modes mayallow the station to specify a range of transmission rates that areacceptable for it. In some embodiments, the request may include non-APMLD receive histories for beacon frames and/or group frames. Eachreceive history may list the link in which station has received beaconsand/or group frames and the number of successful receptions in the lastX seconds, where X is an integer or a real number (such as a timeinterval between 0.1 and 10 s). For group-addressed frames, the stationmay request a directed multicast service (DMS), in which a multicastframe transmission is unicast for the station.

Additionally, in a beacon and group frames transmission mode responsefrom an access point, an AP MLD may respond to a station request. In theresponse, the AP MLD may accept, reject or propose alternativeparameters for the beacon and/or group frames transmission mode of therequested access points. The AP MLD may decide transmission rates of theaffiliated access points based at least in part on station(s) requests.Moreover, the AP MLD may dedicate some affiliated access points to havehigher rates. Note that the access point may delay the beacon and/orgroup frames transmission parameters change. In particular, the accesspoint may transmit a BSS transition management frame to selectedassociated stations to request transition to another access point or APMLD if modified beacon and/or group frames transmission parameters causedifficulties when receiving the frames. Alternatively or additionally,the access point may signal upcoming beacon and/or group framestransmission parameters changes for non-AP MLDs to allow them to selectthe link for beacon and/or group frames reception.

In summary, the disclosed communication techniques provide aninformation element to signal the beacon frames transmission mode and/orgroup frames transmission modes. Moreover, the use of the informationelements is illustrated for stations that operate data and scanningradios. The disclosed communication techniques allow a station torequest beacon and/or group-addressed frames transmission parameterschanges. This capability may be used to improve or optimize the stand-bypower consumption and/or network reliability of the station.

Note that the formats of packets or frames communicated during thecommunication techniques may include more or fewer bits, subfields orfields. Alternatively or additionally, the position of information inthese packets or frames may be changed. Thus, the order of the subfieldsor fields may be changed.

While the preceding embodiments illustrate embodiments of thecommunication techniques using frequency sub-bands, in other embodimentsthe communication techniques may involve the concurrent use of differenttemporal slots, and/or or a combination of different frequencysub-bands, different frequency bands and/or different temporal slots. Insome embodiments, the communication techniques may use OFDMA.

Moreover, while the preceding embodiments illustrated the use of Wi-Fiduring the communication techniques, in other embodiments of thecommunication techniques Bluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energy is used tocommunicate at least a portion of the information in the communicationtechniques. Furthermore, the information communicated in thecommunication techniques may be communicated may occur in one or morefrequency bands, including: 900 MHz, a 2.4 GHz frequency band, a 5 GHzfrequency band, a 6 GHz frequency band, a 60 GHz frequency band, aCitizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) frequency band, a band offrequencies used by LTE or another data communication protocol, etc.

As described herein, aspects of the present technology may include thegathering and use of data available from various sources, e.g., toimprove or enhance functionality. The present disclosure contemplatesthat in some instances, this gathered data may include personalinformation data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact orlocate a specific person. Such personal information data can includedemographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, emailaddresses, Twitter ID's, home addresses, data or records relating to auser's health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements,medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or anyother identifying or personal information. The present disclosurerecognizes that the use of such personal information data, in thepresent technology, may be used to the benefit of users.

The present disclosure contemplates that the entities responsible forthe collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use ofsuch personal information data will comply with well-established privacypolicies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities shouldimplement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that aregenerally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmentalrequirements for maintaining personal information data private andsecure. Such policies should be easily accessible by users, and shouldbe updated as the collection and/or use of data changes. Personalinformation from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonableuses of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimateuses. Further, such collection/sharing should only occur after receivingthe informed consent of the users. Additionally, such entities shouldconsider taking any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access tosuch personal information data and ensuring that others with access tothe personal information data adhere to their privacy policies andprocedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluationby third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacypolicies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should beadapted for the particular types of personal information data beingcollected and/or accessed and adapted to applicable laws and standards,including jurisdiction-specific considerations. For instance, in the US,collection of, or access to, certain health data may be governed byfederal and/or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability andAccountability Act (HIPAA); whereas health data in other countries maybe subject to other regulations and policies and should be handledaccordingly. Hence different privacy practices should be maintained fordifferent personal data types in each country.

Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplatesembodiments in which users selectively block the use of, or access to,personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplatesthat hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent orblock access to such personal information data. For example, the presenttechnology may be configurable to allow users to selectively “opt in” or“opt out” of participation in the collection of personal informationdata, e.g., during registration for services or anytime thereafter. Inaddition to providing “opt in” and “opt out” options, the presentdisclosure contemplates providing notifications relating to the accessor use of personal information. For instance, a user may be notifiedupon downloading an app that their personal information data will beaccessed and then reminded again just before personal information datais accessed by the app.

Moreover, it is the intent of the present disclosure that personalinformation data should be managed and handled in a way to minimizerisks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risk can beminimized by limiting the collection of data and deleting data once itis no longer needed. In addition, and when applicable, including incertain health related applications, data de-identification can be usedto protect a user's privacy. De-identification may be facilitated, whenappropriate, by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth,etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of data stored (e.g.,collecting location data a city level rather than at an address level),controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users),and/or other methods.

Therefore, although the present disclosure may broadly cover use ofpersonal information data to implement one or more various disclosedembodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the variousembodiments can also be implemented without the need for accessing suchpersonal information data. That is, the various embodiments of thepresent technology are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all ora portion of such personal information data.

We now describe embodiments of an electronic device. FIG. 43 presents ablock diagram of an electronic device 4300 (which may be a cellulartelephone, a smartwatch, an access point, a wireless speaker, an IoTdevice, another electronic device, etc.) in accordance with someembodiments. This electronic device includes processing subsystem 4310,memory subsystem 4312 and networking subsystem 4314. Processingsubsystem 4310 includes one or more devices configured to performcomputational operations. For example, processing subsystem 4310 caninclude one or more microprocessors, application-specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), microcontrollers, graphics processing units (GPUs),programmable-logic devices, and/or one or more digital signal processors(DSPs).

Memory subsystem 4312 includes one or more devices for storing dataand/or instructions for processing subsystem 4310, and/or networkingsubsystem 4314. For example, memory subsystem 4312 can include dynamicrandom access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), aread-only memory (ROM), flash memory, and/or other types of memory. Insome embodiments, instructions for processing subsystem 4310 in memorysubsystem 4312 include: program instructions or sets of instructions(such as program instructions 4322 or operating system 4324), which maybe executed by processing subsystem 4310. For example, a ROM can storeprograms, utilities or processes to be executed in a non-volatilemanner, and DRAM can provide volatile data storage, and may storeinstructions related to the operation of electronic device 4300. Notethat the one or more computer programs may constitute a computer-programmechanism, a computer-readable storage medium or software. Moreover,instructions in the various modules in memory subsystem 4312 may beimplemented in: a high-level procedural language, an object-orientedprogramming language, and/or in an assembly or machine language.Furthermore, the programming language may be compiled or interpreted,e.g., configurable or configured (which may be used interchangeably inthis discussion), to be executed by processing subsystem 4310. In someembodiments, the one or more computer programs are distributed over anetwork-coupled computer system so that the one or more computerprograms are stored and executed in a distributed manner.

In addition, memory subsystem 4312 can include mechanisms forcontrolling access to the memory. In some embodiments, memory subsystem4312 includes a memory hierarchy that comprises one or more cachescoupled to a memory in electronic device 4300. In some of theseembodiments, one or more of the caches is located in processingsubsystem 4310.

In some embodiments, memory subsystem 4312 is coupled to one or morehigh-capacity mass-storage devices (not shown). For example, memorysubsystem 4312 can be coupled to a magnetic or optical drive, asolid-state drive, or another type of mass-storage device. In theseembodiments, memory subsystem 4312 can be used by electronic device 4300as fast-access storage for often-used data, while the mass-storagedevice is used to store less frequently used data.

Networking subsystem 4314 includes one or more devices configured tocouple to and communicate on a wired and/or wireless network (i.e., toperform network operations), such as: control logic 4316, one or moreinterface circuits 4318 and a set of antennas 4320 (or antenna elements)in an adaptive array that can be selectively turned on and/or off bycontrol logic 4316 to create a variety of optional antenna patterns or‘beam patterns.’ Alternatively, instead of the set of antennas, in someembodiments electronic device 4300 includes one or more nodes 4308,e.g., a pad or a connector, which can be coupled to the set of antennas4320. Thus, electronic device 4300 may or may not include the set ofantennas 4320. For example, networking subsystem 4314 can include aBluetooth networking system, a cellular networking system (e.g., a3G/4G/5G network such as UMTS, LTE, etc.), a universal serial bus (USB)networking system, a networking system based on the standards describedin IEEE 802.12 (e.g., a Wi-Fi® networking system), an Ethernetnetworking system, and/or another networking system.

In some embodiments, networking subsystem 4314 includes one or moreradios, such as a wake-up radio that is used to receive wake-up framesand wake-up beacons, and a main radio that is used to transmit and/orreceive frames or packets during a normal operation mode. The wake-upradio and the main radio may be implemented separately (such as usingdiscrete components or separate integrated circuits) or in a commonintegrated circuit.

Networking subsystem 4314 includes processors, controllers,radios/antennas, sockets/plugs, and/or other devices used for couplingto, communicating on, and handling data and events for each supportednetworking system. Note that mechanisms used for coupling to,communicating on, and handling data and events on the network for eachnetwork system are sometimes collectively referred to as a ‘networkinterface’ for the network system. Moreover, in some embodiments a‘network’ or a ‘connection’ between the electronic devices does not yetexist. Therefore, electronic device 4300 may use the mechanisms innetworking subsystem 4314 for performing simple wireless communicationbetween the electronic devices, e.g., transmitting advertising or frameframes and/or scanning for advertising frames transmitted by otherelectronic devices.

Within electronic device 4300, processing subsystem 4310, memorysubsystem 4312 and networking subsystem 4314 are coupled together usingbus 4328 that facilitates data transfer between these components. Bus4328 may include an electrical, optical, and/or electro-opticalconnection that the subsystems can use to communicate commands and dataamong one another. Although only one bus 4328 is shown for clarity,different embodiments can include a different number or configuration ofelectrical, optical, and/or electro-optical connections among thesubsystems.

In some embodiments, electronic device 4300 includes a display subsystem4326 for displaying information on a display, which may include adisplay driver and the display, such as a liquid-crystal display, amulti-touch touchscreen, etc. Display subsystem 4326 may be controlledby processing subsystem 4310 to display information to a user (e.g.,information relating to incoming, outgoing, or an active communicationsession).

Moreover, electronic device 4300 can also include a user-input subsystem4330 that allows a user of the electronic device 4300 to interact withelectronic device 4300. For example, user-input subsystem 4330 can takea variety of forms, such as: a button, keypad, dial, touch screen, audioinput interface, visual/image capture input interface, input in the formof sensor data, etc.

Electronic device 4300 can be (or can be included in) any electronicdevice with at least one network interface. For example, electronicdevice 4300 may include: a cellular telephone or a smartphone, a tabletcomputer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a personal or desktopcomputer, a netbook computer, a media player device, a wireless speaker,an IoT device, an electronic book device, a MiFi® device, a smartwatch,a wearable computing device, a portable computing device, aconsumer-electronic device, a vehicle, a door, a window, a portal, anaccess point, a router, a switch, communication equipment, testequipment, as well as any other type of electronic computing devicehaving wireless communication capability that can include communicationvia one or more wireless communication protocols.

Although specific components are used to describe electronic device4300, in alternative embodiments, different components and/or subsystemsmay be present in electronic device 4300. For example, electronic device4300 may include one or more additional processing subsystems, memorysubsystems, networking subsystems, and/or display subsystems.Additionally, one or more of the subsystems may not be present inelectronic device 4300. Moreover, in some embodiments, electronic device4300 may include one or more additional subsystems that are not shown inFIG. 43 . In some embodiments, electronic device may include an analysissubsystem that performs at least some of the operations in thecommunication techniques. Also, although separate subsystems are shownin FIG. 43 , in some embodiments some or all of a given subsystem orcomponent can be integrated into one or more of the other subsystems orcomponent(s) in electronic device 4300. For example, in some embodimentsprogram instructions 4322 are included in operating system 4324 and/orcontrol logic 4316 is included in the one or more interface circuits4318.

Moreover, the circuits and components in electronic device 4300 may beimplemented using any combination of analog and/or digital circuitry,including: bipolar, PMOS and/or NMOS gates or transistors. Furthermore,signals in these embodiments may include digital signals that haveapproximately discrete values and/or analog signals that have continuousvalues. Additionally, components and circuits may be single-ended ordifferential, and power supplies may be unipolar or bipolar.

An integrated circuit may implement some or all of the functionality ofnetworking subsystem 4314. This integrated circuit may include hardwareand/or software mechanisms that are used for transmitting wirelesssignals from electronic device 4300 and receiving signals at electronicdevice 4300 from other electronic devices. Aside from the mechanismsherein described, radios are generally known in the art and hence arenot described in detail. In general, networking subsystem 4314 and/orthe integrated circuit can include any number of radios. Note that theradios in multiple-radio embodiments function in a similar way to thedescribed single-radio embodiments.

In some embodiments, networking subsystem 4314 and/or the integratedcircuit include a configuration mechanism (such as one or more hardwareand/or software mechanisms) that configures the radio(s) to transmitand/or receive on a given communication channel (e.g., a given carrierfrequency). For example, in some embodiments, the configurationmechanism can be used to switch the radio from monitoring and/ortransmitting on a given communication channel to monitoring and/ortransmitting on a different communication channel. (Note that‘monitoring’ as used herein comprises receiving signals from otherelectronic devices and possibly performing one or more processingoperations on the received signals).

In some embodiments, an output of a process for designing the integratedcircuit, or a portion of the integrated circuit, which includes one ormore of the circuits described herein may be a computer-readable mediumsuch as, for example, a magnetic tape or an optical or magnetic disk.The computer-readable medium may be encoded with data structures orother information describing circuitry that may be physicallyinstantiated as the integrated circuit or the portion of the integratedcircuit. Although various formats may be used for such encoding, thesedata structures are commonly written in: Caltech Intermediate Format(CIF), Calma GDS II Stream Format (GDSII), Electronic Design InterchangeFormat (EDIF), OpenAccess (OA), or Open Artwork System InterchangeStandard (OASIS). Those of skill in the art of integrated circuit designcan develop such data structures from schematic diagrams of the typedetailed above and the corresponding descriptions and encode the datastructures on the computer-readable medium. Those of skill in the art ofintegrated circuit fabrication can use such encoded data to fabricateintegrated circuits that include one or more of the circuits describedherein.

While the preceding discussion used a Wi-Fi communication protocol as anillustrative example, in other embodiments a wide variety ofcommunication protocols and, more generally, wireless communicationtechniques may be used. Thus, the communication techniques may be usedin a variety of network interfaces. Furthermore, while some of theoperations in the preceding embodiments were implemented in hardware orsoftware, in general the operations in the preceding embodiments can beimplemented in a wide variety of configurations and architectures.Therefore, some or all of the operations in the preceding embodimentsmay be performed in hardware, in software or both. For example, at leastsome of the operations in the communication techniques may beimplemented using program instructions 4322, operating system 4324 (suchas a driver for an interface circuit in networking subsystem 4314) or infirmware in an interface circuit networking subsystem 4314.Alternatively or additionally, at least some of the operations in thecommunication techniques may be implemented in a physical layer, such ashardware in an interface circuit in networking subsystem 4314. In someembodiments, the communication techniques are implemented, at least inpart, in a MAC layer and/or in a physical layer in an interface circuitin networking subsystem 4314.

Note that the use of the phrases ‘capable of,’ ‘capable to,’ ‘operableto,’ or ‘configured to’ in one or more embodiments, refers to someapparatus, logic, hardware, and/or element designed in such a way toenable use of the apparatus, logic, hardware, and/or element in aspecified manner.

While examples of numerical values are provided in the precedingdiscussion, in other embodiments different numerical values are used.Consequently, the numerical values provided are not intended to belimiting.

Moreover, while the preceding embodiments illustrated the use ofwireless signals in one or more bands of frequencies, in otherembodiments of the communication techniques electromagnetic signals inone or more different frequency bands are used. For example, thesesignals may be communicated in one or more bands of frequencies,including: a microwave frequency band, a radar frequency band, 900 MHz,2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, 60 GHz, and/or a band of frequencies used by aCitizens Broadband Radio Service or by LTE.

In the preceding description, we refer to ‘some embodiments.’ Note that‘some embodiments’ describes a subset of all of the possibleembodiments, but does not always specify the same subset of embodiments.

The foregoing description is intended to enable any person skilled inthe art to make and use the disclosure, and is provided in the contextof a particular application and its requirements. Moreover, theforegoing descriptions of embodiments of the present disclosure havebeen presented for purposes of illustration and description only. Theyare not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure tothe forms disclosed. Accordingly, many modifications and variations willbe apparent to practitioners skilled in the art, and the generalprinciples defined herein may be applied to other embodiments andapplications without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure. Additionally, the discussion of the preceding embodiments isnot intended to limit the present disclosure. Thus, the presentdisclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, butis to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles andfeatures disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device, comprising: an antenna nodeconfigured to communicatively couple to an antenna; a second antennanode configured to communicatively couple to a second antenna; ascanning radio communicatively coupled to the antenna node; and a dataradio communicatively coupled to the second antenna node, wherein theelectronic device is configured to: perform, using the scanning radio, ascan of a band of frequencies, wherein the scanning radio is configuredto only receive frames; receive, using the scanning radio, a beaconassociated with a second electronic device, wherein the beacon comprisesinformation associated with operation of a third electronic device in asecond band of frequencies; and perform, using the data radio, a secondscan of the second band of frequencies based at least in part on theinformation, wherein the data radio is configured to transmit andreceive second frames, and wherein the second scan is performed, atleast in part, while the scan is performed.
 2. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the electronic device is not associated with the secondelectronic device or the third electronic device.
 3. The electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein the second electronic device and the thirdelectronic device comprises access points that are cohosted orco-located in or affiliated with an access point multi-link device (APMLD).
 4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the beacon comprisesa reduced neighbor report (RNR) and the RNR comprises the information.5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the beacon comprises amulti-link (ML) element and the ML comprises the information.
 6. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device isconfigured to associate with the third electronic device after the scanand the second scan are completed.
 7. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the information comprises: a primary channel of the thirdelectronic device, a bandwidth of the beacon, or whether the thirdelectronic device receives 80 MHz wide non-high-throughput duplicatephysical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU). 8.An integrated circuit, comprising: an antenna node configured tocommunicatively couple to an antenna; a second antenna node configuredto communicatively couple to a second antenna; a scanning radiocommunicatively coupled to the antenna node; and a data radiocommunicatively coupled to the second antenna node, wherein theintegrated circuit is configured to: perform, using the scanning radio,a scan of a band of frequencies, wherein the scanning radio isconfigured to only receive frames; receive, using the scanning radio, abeacon associated with an electronic device, wherein the beaconcomprises information associated with operation of a second electronicdevice in a second band of frequencies; and perform, using the dataradio, a second scan of the second band of frequencies based at least inpart on the information, wherein the data radio is configured totransmit and receive second frames, and wherein the second scan isperformed, at least in part, while the scan is performed.
 9. Theintegrated circuit of claim 8, wherein the integrated circuit is notassociated with the electronic device or the second electronic device.10. The integrated circuit of claim 8, wherein the electronic device andthe second electronic device comprises access points that are cohostedor co-located in or affiliated with an access point multi-link device(AP MLD).
 11. The integrated circuit of claim 8, wherein the beaconcomprises a reduced neighbor report (RNR) and the RNR comprises theinformation.
 12. The integrated circuit of claim 8, wherein the beaconcomprises a multi-link (ML) element and the ML comprises theinformation.
 13. The integrated circuit of claim 8, wherein theintegrated circuit is configured to associate with the second electronicdevice after the scan and the second scan are completed.
 14. Theintegrated circuit of claim 8, wherein the information comprises: aprimary channel of the second electronic device, a bandwidth of thebeacon, or whether the second electronic device receives 80 MHz widenon-high-throughput duplicate physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP)protocol data unit (PPDU).
 15. A method for performing a scan, themethod comprising: by an electronic device: performing, using a scanningradio in the electronic device, the scan of a band of frequencies,wherein the scanning radio is configured to only receive frames;receiving, using the scanning radio, a beacon associated with a secondelectronic device, wherein the beacon comprises information associatedwith operation of a third electronic device in a second band offrequencies; and performing, using a data radio in the electronicdevice, a second scan of the second band of frequencies based at leastin part on the information, wherein the data radio is configured totransmit and receive second frames, and wherein the second scan isperformed, at least in part, while the scan is performed.
 16. The methodof claim 15, wherein the electronic device is not associated with thesecond electronic device or the third electronic device.
 17. The methodof claim 15, wherein the second electronic device and the thirdelectronic device comprises access points that are cohosted orco-located in or affiliated with an access point multi-link device (APMLD).
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the beacon comprises a reducedneighbor report (RNR) and the RNR comprises the information.
 19. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the beacon comprises a multi-link (ML)element and the ML comprises the information.
 20. The method of claim15, wherein the method comprises associating with the third electronicdevice after the scan and the second scan are completed.